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To Terrace or not to Terrace |
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After receiving much support from both the community and customers, The Pilsen’s terrace in North Hatley is now open during the day and as of last night, it’s officially open during the evenings. PHOTO: JANNA KENDALL The Pilsen Terrace: compromise works for everyone.
“There was a clean decision by the courts. We were in our rights to use our liquor license on our terrace. According to the concessions made, we will have no new customers after 9 p.m. After 11 p.m., every remaining customer must go inside and there will be no more music on the sound speakers after 9 p.m. We are also going to have a surveillance camera, plus a front door that locks onto the patio to make sure no one is on the terrace after 11 p.m. This camera will be monitored inside,” said Patrick Lajoie, part owner of the Pilsen Restaurant and Pub.
The Pilsen has made great efforts to work closely with the community to explain their intentions, he says.
“We have been very open and transparent, explaining the direction we were going. We even held a question and answer session for the public at the Community Center in April,” said Lajoie. The many customers relaxing in the sunshine beside the river are already enjoying the view.
“Prior to any presentation to City Hall, the Environmental Department of the government had approved this terrace, as it was determined to be environmentally friendly.”
Florent Hebert of the Serendipity B&B located on River Street across from the Pilsen is very pleased with the concessions made by Lajoie.
“We believe this can work for everyone and would like to turn a new leaf to form new positive relations towards the future. We are in this together as we are neighbors and we want to work together in a positive way,” said Hebert. “Our objection as citizens of River Street was never to close the Pilsen, we just wanted some restrictions in order for us to continue living in harmony together. I do recommend the terrace and the Pilsen and encourage them, by sending my clientele over there. We want a happy Karma between River Street residents, the Pilsen’s clientele and the Pilsen.”
A team player with a vision in mind, Lajoie hopes the terrace will be a win-win situation for everyone in North Hatley.
“We are very confident after the first year of operation that we will convince most of the concerned people that the addition of the terrace is a benefit to everyone. We hope that the whole matter is now solved, “ he said. “We are looking forward to working with the community, city hall, hotel operators, restaurants and all of the merchants in order to help bring back the tourists to North Hatley.” By Janna Kendall 2009-06-19 |
Montreal Canadiens
