Montreal Gazette

Restaurant closes after dispute with liquor board

- JACOB SEREBRIN jserebrin@postmedia.com

After a long-running legal dispute with Quebec’s liquor regulator, a Montreal restaurate­ur is throwing in the towel.

Alex Bastide, the owner of L’Gros Luxe, said he has closed the small chain’s St-André St. location permanentl­y, rather than comply with an order from the Régie des alcools des courses et des jeux to close the restaurant completely for 30 days.

The restaurant’s last day in business was Dec. 30.

“Even though we’re extremely popular, no business can survive such a suspension, it’s impossible,” he said.

Bastide has been fighting the order for more than a year.

It was issued on Oct. 31, 2016, after the RACJ ruled that the restaurant had violated the conditions of its liquor license and it was the cause of too much noise.

Bastide initially appealed the decision — it was put off pending a hearing before the Tribunal administra­tif du Québec, which hears appeals of RACJ decisions. While the appeal has been heard, the TAQ has not yet issued a decision.

But, even if he wins, Bastide said he expects to face the same sort of opposition that led to the suspension.

“I’m a fighter, but now, unfortunat­ely, I have to say that they beat me. I have to let it go, it makes no sense to stay there,” he said. “There’s no fight to be won.”

Bastide said he’s been in court seven times in less than three years and spent more than $30,000 on lawyers’ fees related to hearings involving the St-André St. restaurant.

The location has faced opposition since it opened.

Neighbours complained about noise when it held a provisiona­l license and, when it was issued a permanent liquor permit, it was ordered to take reservatio­ns and have someone working at the door, to avoid lineups outside. It was also forbidden to let customers stay in the restaurant after 11 p.m.

In early 2016, a group of neighbours complained to the RACJ that the situation hadn’t changed.

Two Montreal police officers also testified patrons had been seen in the restaurant after 11 p.m.

Bastide testified that the restaurant had taken steps to control noise, but the RACJ ruled against him, ordering the 30-day closure.

“We tried to comply the whole way through,” Bastide said.

Bastide said he believes the sanction is the most severe ever given to a restaurant that wasn’t linked with organized crime or the scene of violence, and that it doesn’t make sense.

The RACJ said it doesn’t keep statistics about the sanctions it issues.

“It’s a fairly severe sanction, but it’s fair and equitable given the circumstan­ces,” said Joyce Tremblay, a spokespers­on for the RACJ.

L’Gros Luxe has seven other locations, all in Quebec, and Bastide said only the St-André location faced repeated complaints.

 ?? JOHN MAHONEY ?? Owner Alex Bastide with chef Lou Brossard, left, and managers Renaud Langlois and Margaux Morin in his L’Gros Luxe restaurant in Montreal’s Plateau Mont-Royal district. After a protracted legal battle with the Régie des alcools des courses et des jeux,...
JOHN MAHONEY Owner Alex Bastide with chef Lou Brossard, left, and managers Renaud Langlois and Margaux Morin in his L’Gros Luxe restaurant in Montreal’s Plateau Mont-Royal district. After a protracted legal battle with the Régie des alcools des courses et des jeux,...

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Canada