Last call? Locks changed on Chili Pepper
St. Paul Street business a hotspot since 1990
Bailiffs arrived to the Red Hot Chili Pepper Bar & Grille on Wednesday afternoon to change the locks and “take inventory.”
Without warning, the bar closed on the weekend and has since remained closed.
The Red Hot Chili Pepper has not explained the closure on its Twitter account.
St. Paul Street business in St. Catharines is a restaurant by day and club by night. Since 1990, the venue has been a popular location for Niagara youth.
The Standard was unable to contact the business owners.
Tisha Polocko, executive director of the St. Catharines Downtown Association, said she was not aware of any issues at the Pepper and is unsure why it’s closed.
The Niagara Regional Police confirmed that they were present Wednesday to “keep the peace” while the locks were changed, said media relations officer Phil Gavin.
Gavin said the NRP was called to the bar at about 1:30 p.m. to ensure no issues arose while the bailiff was present.
Gavin said there were no problems and officers left shortly after the locks were changed.
The Red Hot Chili Pepper rents its location on 1 St. Paul St.
The building, which houses various St. Catharines’ businesses, including The Standard, was purchased earlier this year by ESHA Madeleine BagchiGrand Inc. The company has not responded to requests for comment.
For the past year, Red Hot Chili Pepper has been listed for sale as a commercial business at $695,000, said Ralph Roselli, the realtor for the business.
“This established business, since 1990, with great food and amazing prices, is being offered as business only with all chattels included,” a listing reads on realtor.ca.
It continues, “Tenants currently under negotiation with landlord for lease extension.”
Roselli said he has not been told by the owners to remove the listing.
Bar employees who were contacted declined to comment.