'Everyone is broke': Beloved East Vancouver diner closing its doors
An East Vancouver restaurant that describes itself as a place where "omnivores, carnivores, vegans, vegetarians and celiacs can all dine together" will be closing its doors this month, citing the ongoing financial fallout from the pandemic.
The Wallflower Diner on Main Street has been serving up brunch, lunch and dinner in Mount Pleasant since 2009. It's also been the site of comedy and art shows, trivia and theme nights.
Co-owner Heather Szilagyi announced the impending closure on social media Saturday.
"Eric (Nielsen) and I are extremely proud of keeping The Wallflower going through the pandemic. We worked without days off for a very long time. We really hoped someone would be able to pick up the pieces and keep the legacy going, but everyone is broke," she wrote.
In May, the restaurant was put up for sale. The listing, which at the time showed a price of $269,000, was also shared on social media.
"Alright, someone out there has to have a long lost rich uncle," the owners wrote at the time.
The listing for the eatery is still active, showing a reduced price of $225,000.
Scrolling through the Wallflower Diner's social media feed, it's easy to get a sense of some of the pressures that led up to the closure. While many other restaurants were able to mitigate COVID-19-related capacity limits by expanding outdoors, the restaurant was initially not allowed to set up a patio.
Eventually, it was permitted a single table out front, something the owners dubbed a "sadio" in a series of tongue-in-cheek posts calling it the "world's saddest patio." They were able to add a couple more tables thanks to the support of neighbouring bookstore Pulp Fiction offering up its sidewalk space.
Another blow to the restaurant appears to have been the building of the Broadway Subway. Located less than a block north of where a station will eventually stand, the diner posted about the "seemingly endless construction" and the impact on businesses in the area.
Another post, from December of last year, alludes to the end of government subsidies and the potential that the business would have to be sold or shuttered shutter despite the owners' efforts.
"We both worked non-stop during lockdown, with no days off. Anyone who knows me at all, knows that there probably isn't another human on the planet who would have worked harder to keep a restaurant alive as I have with my 'Cheers,' Szilagyi wrote.
The Wallflower's last day will be July 12, which Szilagyi said is also her birthday.
"All past and present staff and regulars are welcome to come say goodbye. It's the end of an era! Thank you so much to all who have supported us," the social media posts concludes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.