Workers owed thousands as Hart eatery shuts down
The sudden closure just before Christmas of a local restaurant, owned by a member of the Hart wrestling family, has left employees missing thousands in wages.
Bret (The Hitman) Hart’s daughter, Alexandra Hart, opened Hart Healthy Food restaurant in East Village in October, but the opening was short-lived. Staff received notice the day before the doors permanently closed on Dec. 20.
Ben Duong, who worked in the kitchen, said the short notice was a secondary concern for him and his co-workers, none of whom received a paycheque in December.
“This is very stressful. Now I’m behind on some payments, can’t afford groceries, haven’t been able to pay this month’s rent, so I’m really struggling,” said Duong.
Duong said he’s owed about $1,500 in wages. He said that when he first started at the restaurant, things looked to be working smoothly. But it didn’t take long for him to notice some oddities, such as missing shipments from their food suppliers, which resulted in four grocery store trips for the kitchen staff so they had enough food to serve.
Though its social media accounts have been deactivated, Hart Healthy Food’s website is still running, with a gallery of Hart family photos still intact.
The website describes the Hart Healthy Food experience as, “Enjoy(ing)
a farm to table experience, with fast food convenience.” It lists itself as family owned and operated, adding “Come in and we’ll make sure you feel like family too!”
When the restaurant was first opening, Hart told Postmedia: “I wanted to show my own gratitude to Calgary by giving them a place they could come and also feel like they’re part of the family.”
Zachary Young worked in the kitchen at Hart Healthy Food for a few weeks before it closed. He said the staff was never treated like family, which is evident now that they’re out so much money.
“She knew weeks before they closed that they didn’t have enough money. She was letting people work knowing full well that she had no ability to pay them,” said Young.
Multiple employees, including Duong and Young, have filed reports with the provincial labour board, since Hart has stopped responding to their emails, Duong said.
On Sunday, a handwritten sign on the front door of the restaurant still read, “Closed for the holidays.”
Hart did not reply to several requests for comment from Postmedia on Sunday.