Metro Vancouver Restaurant News thread - Page 132

whatnext · #**2621** Posted **Mar 23, 2021, 8:12 PM**

Irish Heather moving out of Gastown after 24 years. High rents not justified by current level of traffic.

The Irish Heather is closing in Gastown after 24 years, relocating due to high rents
Kenneth Chan|
Mar 22 2021, 6:07 pm

After 24 years, it is the end of an era for The Irish Heather’s longtime presence in Vancouver’s Gastown district, but not the end of the storied establishment.

The Irish gastropub announced today its final day of operations at its current location at 210 Carrall Street will be Sunday, April 4, 2021....

....While COVID-19 is the nail in the coffin for many restaurants, he says the troubles began long before the pandemic, with rising property taxes passed onto businesses.

“The rents and taxes on businesses are crippling. There needs to be something different because before COVID-19, a lot of us were struggling… Some received a subsidy as a lifeline and they made it, but the heavy taxes have always been an issue,” he said....

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/the-irish-heather-210-carrall-street-vancouver-gastown-closing

SpongeG · #**2622** Posted **Mar 26, 2021, 11:34 PM**

Chipotle is opening another location in Surrey at Morgan Crossing.

jollyburger · #**2623** Posted **Mar 27, 2021, 3:07 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatnext

Irish Heather moving out of Gastown after 24 years. High rents not justified by current level of traffic.

The Irish Heather is closing in Gastown after 24 years, relocating due to high rents
Kenneth Chan|
Mar 22 2021, 6:07 pm

After 24 years, it is the end of an era for The Irish Heather’s longtime presence in Vancouver’s Gastown district, but not the end of the storied establishment.

The Irish gastropub announced today its final day of operations at its current location at 210 Carrall Street will be Sunday, April 4, 2021....

....While COVID-19 is the nail in the coffin for many restaurants, he says the troubles began long before the pandemic, with rising property taxes passed onto businesses.

“The rents and taxes on businesses are crippling. There needs to be something different because before COVID-19, a lot of us were struggling… Some received a subsidy as a lifeline and they made it, but the heavy taxes have always been an issue,” he said....

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/the-irish-heather-210-carrall-street-vancouver-gastown-closing

Seems odd that they decided to move into Chinatown.

officedweller · #**2624** Posted **Mar 27, 2021, 3:13 AM**

I figure further east than Chinatown - maybe on the industrial area fringe near Clark Drive which would have lower rent.
I'm assuming not near Hastings St., but maybe? Main St./Chinatown probably has fairly high rents.
There's a place called Strange Fellows Brewing on Clark Dr.

Changing City · #**2625** Posted **Mar 27, 2021, 5:04 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

I figure further east than Chinatown - maybe on the industrial area fringe near Clark Drive which would have lower rent.
I'm assuming not near Hastings St., but maybe? Main St./Chinatown probably has fairly high rents.
There's a place called Strange Fellows Brewing on Clark Dr.

It says Strathcona, so it could be into one of Chip Wilson's many renovated buildings on East Hastings. There are already several restaurants / cafes that are recent arrivals. There's also a tapas lounge/wine bar in the Wall Strathcona Village building, and Strathcona Brewery just down the street to the west. There are no residents on Clark Drive, and Heather doesn't have an industrial process (like a brewery, or a catering company) to allow him to set up in the zoning there. There's also a closed Starbucks in the same residential building that Yolks restaurant is located, but that may be a bit too far east.

jollyburger · #**2626** Posted **Mar 27, 2021, 5:16 AM**

Vancouver Sun: Gastown staple Irish Heather is moving to Chinatown

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/gastown-staple-irish-heather-is-moving-to-chinatown

Reddit says they are taking over Mamie Taylor

Changing City · #**2627** Posted **Mar 27, 2021, 5:51 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Vancouver Sun: Gastown staple Irish Heather is moving to Chinatown

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/gastown-staple-irish-heather-is-moving-to-chinatown

Reddit says they are taking over Mamie Taylor

Makes sense - it's already sitting there, ready for somebody else to try to make it work. I wonder if it's Sean Heather or the Daily Hive that can't tell Strathcona from Chinatown?

officedweller · #**2628** Posted **Mar 27, 2021, 6:51 AM**

That does make sense, leasehold improvements look fine

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/mamie-taylors-closing

SpongeG · #**2629** Posted **Mar 27, 2021, 6:57 AM**

Tendon Kohaku opens softly on monday grand opening on the Easter Weekend. It should bring some life to that corner, looks good.

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/tendon-kohaku-downtown-vancouver

Quote:

This spot is set to soft launch on March 29 to 31 from noon to 8 pm.

The grand opening will be on April 2, and over its opening weekend (April 2 to 4) Tendon Kohaku will offer 25% off the entire menu, all day long.

Opening hours for the grand opening weekend are April 2 from 11 am to 10 pm and April 3 and 4 from 11:30 am to 10 pm.

s211 · #**2630** Posted **Mar 27, 2021, 9:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

Tendon Kohaku opens softly on monday grand opening on the Easter Weekend. It should bring some life to that corner, looks good.

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/tendon-kohaku-downtown-vancouver

Interesting. I saw photos on linkedin this past week and the entire place was full.

Feathered Friend · #**2631** Posted **Mar 28, 2021, 12:52 AM**

Quote:

THE END OF TOMOKAZU?

It has been a rough two years for businesses especially restaurants.

Gutom has learned that Tomokazu has been sold to a NEW OWNER and will be CLOSING in APRIL!

Tomokazu has been in business for over 10 years, and is one of the few restaurants to offer All You Can Eat. One of the servers has been with Tomokazu for 15 years! The low cost All You Can Eat Sushi is a big draw for AYCE fans, and big eaters. Lunch AYCE is under $20.

The future of Tomokazu is uncertain. Stay tuned to Gutom for more details! Very sad news! Enjoy the food while you can. Wednesday March 31 is the last day of Tomokazu!
Address: 1128 W Broadway #201, Vancouver, BC V6H 1G5

https://www.gutom.ca/2021/03/tomokazu-cl...uver-food-and-travel-guide-gutom-ca.html

Unlike what was reported in that food blog, Tomokazu, which first opened in 2004, will only be closing temporarily for renovations under the new ownership. The AYCE Sushi format will return as well some staff.

whatnext · #**2632** Posted **Mar 29, 2021, 7:35 PM**

Wow, this is going to be brutal for restaurants!

Kind of weird they lift restrictions on indoor church services last week and do this now.

COVID-19 restrictions: B.C. temporarily halting indoor dining at restaurants
Shannon Paterson
Alyse Kotyk
Published Monday, March 29, 2021

VANCOUVER -- As COVID-19 cases surge in B.C., CTV News has learned the government is planning to temporarily halt indoor dining at restaurants for several weeks.

Sources say the new rule will take effect at midnight Monday and remain in place until April 19. Patio dining and takeout will still be allowed.

The provincial government has not announced the new restriction, but Premier John Horgan, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix are scheduled to appear together at an afternoon announcement....

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/covid-19-restricti...g-indoor-dining-at-restaurants-1.5366771

bluefox · #**2633** Posted **Mar 29, 2021, 8:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatnext

Wow, this is going to be brutal for restaurants!

Kind of weird they lift restrictions on indoor church services last week and do this now.

COVID-19 restrictions: B.C. temporarily halting indoor dining at restaurants
Shannon Paterson
Alyse Kotyk
Published Monday, March 29, 2021

VANCOUVER -- As COVID-19 cases surge in B.C., CTV News has learned the government is planning to temporarily halt indoor dining at restaurants for several weeks.

Sources say the new rule will take effect at midnight Monday and remain in place until April 19. Patio dining and takeout will still be allowed.

The provincial government has not announced the new restriction, but Premier John Horgan, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix are scheduled to appear together at an afternoon announcement....

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/covid-19-restricti...g-indoor-dining-at-restaurants-1.5366771

Aren't the religious gathering restriction changes temporary? I thought they were to be reimplemented after Passover/Easter.

whatnext · #**2634** Posted **Mar 29, 2021, 8:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluefox

Aren't the religious gathering restriction changes temporary? I thought they were to be reimplemented after Passover/Easter.

Doesn't do much good for those who catch it at Easter/Passover.

I'd be curious to see the numbers of cases traced back to restaurants.

WarrenC12 · #**2635** Posted **Mar 29, 2021, 9:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatnext

Doesn't do much good for those who catch it at Easter/Passover.

I'd be curious to see the numbers of cases traced back to restaurants.

Might have something to do with the 20-39 age group that got blamed.

I see a ton of socializing at restaurants from people clearly not in the same household (all ages).

svlt · #**2636** Posted **Mar 29, 2021, 9:25 PM**

Yeah I'm iffy about a ban on indoor dining but I do agree the spread really has been coming from the under 40 crowd that has just been exasperated and sort of given up. So this will hit them the most (aside from the poor restaurant owners)

bluefox · #**2637** Posted **Mar 29, 2021, 9:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatnext

Doesn't do much good for those who catch it at Easter/Passover.

I'd be curious to see the numbers of cases traced back to restaurants.

According to CBC, the "circuit breaker" restrictions have resulted in the religious gathering allowance being cancelled.

whatnext · #**2638** Posted **Mar 30, 2021, 1:11 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Might have something to do with the 20-39 age group that got blamed.

I see a ton of socializing at restaurants from people clearly not in the same household (all ages).

LOL, I’m not going to touch that one seeing as how I was flamed by angry Millennials in Current Events when I reported the same thing.

Migrant_Coconut · #**2639** Posted **Mar 30, 2021, 3:28 AM**

Got heckled in the middle of takeout by some mom-aged Karens (no masks) who said I looked ready to rob the place. Pretending it's just teenagers and young adults is asinine.

zahav · #**2640** Posted **Mar 30, 2021, 7:04 AM**

I feel like this was just an excuse to appease some of the people who thought Bonnie Henry wasn't doing enough and people were getting out of hand. I think it was definitely more of a symbolic gesture to young people as opposed to being medically justified. Most cases are not tied to dining out, it is prviate social gatherings, which will increase now that restaurants are closed. Stupid. A 3 week closure is pointless, and hurts the businesses more than anything. But the thought is, it sends a message that things are out of hand and the authorities are "doing something about it". I hate those santimonious a**holes who get mad when they see anyone out and living, almost wishing they would be confined to their home alone.