Comme Chez Soi forced to close by condo construction

In the front window of Comme Chez Soi on St-Laurent Blvd., two signs can be read: one a congratulatory note for being voted one of the top-rated restaurants in the Mile-End, the other a handwritten apology from the owner, explaining how the condo construction next door has forced its sudden closing after seven years.

Though its only been closed for two weeks, Comme Chez Soi has been hidden behind the cranes, concrete mixers, portable toilets and construction signs that crowd the area in front of it for the last eight months.

As a restaurant it relied on its loyal customers but also those walking by: chalkboards announcing its signature bison burgers, lasagna, and macaroni and cheese often drawing in passersby.

For months after the construction started last November, owner and chef Stphane Franois says he would show up in the morning and have to manoeuvre his way between the construction fences just to reach his eaterys entrance. He eventually convinced workers to move the fence panels, but the sidewalk remained closed, and pedestrians continued to be redirected across the street.

Used to serving between 40 or 60 clients daily for lunch, Franois watched those numbers dwindle down to single digits.

Hes taking to Kickstarter now, looking to raise enough funds not to keep the restaurant open, but at least to pay some outstanding bills and not lose his equipment to creditors so he can turn the restaurants brand into a catering business that would continue to offer gluten and lactose-free products.

Even under the best conditions the first few years of opening a restaurant is always a fight, said Franois, sitting in the dim locale, the power having been cut by Hydro-Qubec two weeks ago when he failed to pay a bill on time. Theres seven years worth of early mornings and late nights work that went into this.

Franois says he had a payment agreement with Hydro-Qubec for July 14, but his service was cut unexpectedly a few days before, resulting in nearly $1,000 of meat, dairy products and pre-made meals going to waste in the restaurants fridges.

Its just been one thing after another, said the France-born chef, who moved to Montreal 11 years ago knowing it would be a good fit for his cooking style.

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Comme Chez Soi forced to close by condo construction