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Monkey wrench tossed at new terrace: North Hatley pub owner says he’ll have to fire staff |
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The umbrellas were opened, the granite was placed, and the wood varnished for the grand opening of the Pilsen Pub’s new terrace. That is until a North Hatley resident’s complaint caused the Régie des alcools des courses et des jeux to suspend the patio’s liquor permit until a September hearing.
“I can’t believe that someone would be so selfish,” said resto owner Patrick Lajoie Thursday, an hour after receiving the news. “Everything was ready. We were opening (July 18). We had already hired our staff and we purchased all our building materials locally, so they will be very discouraged with this. Everyone is.”
When Lajoie initially pitched his patio idea to town council last winter, some residents made their objections known about noise worries.
“I did everything I could to keep the peace. We designed walls to block noise, and we positioned the speakers so that the music would not travel. It’s not in our best interests to make war with our neighbours. We are in the same town and I want us to work together.”
Lajoie said he has spent more than $170,000 on the project to date.
The name of the complaining resident is confidential until the hearing.
The resto already has a liquor permit, but needs another for the new terrace. It must advertise its request in local newspapers, and any complaint received automatically demands a hearing. Lajoie isn’t sure what he’ll do now.
“We could still open it and not permit drinks to be sold, but would you come and sit out there if you didn’t have your drinks? Everything is new yet and I’m just so shocked that someone would do that. I have a meeting in an hour with the employees and we will have to decide what is best for everyone.
“I won’t need the bartenders and I won’t need staff out there if there aren’t going to be as many people. I think I am going to have to send five employees to unemployment. This is assez plâte.”
The restaurant owner said he had a complaint-free file before this incident, and is confident he will win the fall hearing.
“It’s held in Quebec City. I’ll have to travel up there but that doesn’t compare to the other losses here. I’ve never had any complaints before.”
By Jen Young
July 18, 2008 |
Montreal Canadiens
