Several customers are feeling empty after being told the St. Viateur Bagel location on Monkland Ave. in NDG is closing in March.
Customers told CJAD 800 that staff have been telling them that the bagel shop — a fixture in Monkland Village since 2001 — plans to close on March 11, because the owners and their landlord aren't able to reach an agreement on a new lease.
In the years since it opened, the shop has become a popular brunch spot, with lineups on weekends being the norm.
"I'm a little disappointed," says Ben, a customer. "[St. Viateur] has been a staple for the last 18 years, and for a landlord and a leasee to not come to an agreement like this, I think it's pretty unreasonable."
St-Viateur Bagel shop in Monkland is set to close. I spoke to several patrons, they say staff are preparing them for a March 11 departure. Staff telling customers that the owner was unable to reach an agreement with the landlord. #CJAD800 pic.twitter.com/yWjXzS2RXl
— Saif Kaisar (@StaySaif) January 16, 2019
"It's really, really sad," says Helen, a longtime St. Viateur customer. "Keep the business there. They've been there for 18 years. Come to some agreement."
"I'm very annoyed, and I'm especially distressed," said Charles, another longtime customer.
There are three other St. Viateur Bagel locations. Aside from the iconic original location on St. Viateur St. in the Mile End district, there are also shops on Mont Royal Ave. and in Dollard des Ormeaux. They'll all stay open.
Meanwhile, the owners of the Monkland shop aren't ruling out setting up in another NDG location, but aren't giving a time frame on when that might happen.