Let's take a moment to make another quick delivery and talk about the Bières et Frites case which is before the courts, but also the investments of the Normandin restaurant in Alma and the new Savsav café-resto-cocktail.
First, the Bières et Frites brand plans to sue the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ), alleging “significant financial damage” since the start of the RACJ’s investigation into the restaurant. The lawyers of Bières et Frites sent a formal notice to the RACJ, requesting the withdrawal of the notice of meeting and the cessation of the inspections, threatening legal action for damages if the requests are not accepted before January 8 .
The summons to an RACJ hearing in April 2023 arises from an investigation initiated in 2021 following a complaint, accusing the restaurant of having exploited its license in an unauthorized manner and of inciting non-responsible consumption by advertisements for cheap alcohol offers.
The owner of Bières et Frites, Jérôme Landry, says he has suffered stress and anxiety, slowing the growth of his business for two years.
The restaurant could lose its license, jeopardizing its operations, if the RACJ prevails.
The formal notice accuses the RACJ of various faults, alleging violated rights, fabricated complaints, a lack of transparency and direct influence of senior management in the work of inspectors.
The litigation also hampered Bières et Frites' plans to expand with franchises elsewhere in Quebec, with several candidates withdrawing due to the problems with the RACJ.
The RACJ accuses the restaurant of selling an excessive proportion of alcohol, while Jérôme Landry denies the accusation, saying that the restaurant sells approximately 65% food and 35% alcohol.
Then, renovation work on the new Normandin Restaurants branch in Alma was completed, with a budget estimated at more than a million dollars. Now there are new colors and a completely redesigned interior while preserving the spirit of Goofy, the former popular restaurant located there, as a neighborhood restaurant.
Goofy's traditional poutine recipe will remain unchanged and the restaurant has now expanded the kitchens for preparing pizzas and added a boutique space selling Normandin's ready-to-eat products. The majority of Goofy employees will join the ranks of Normandin, with around 50 people employed by the new branch which will also offer a delivery service.
Normandin Restaurants also acquired the Motel de l'Avenue du Pont, which will benefit from a rejuvenation in two phases, all ending in 2024. The work will mainly aim to improve the aesthetics of the motel without changing the number of rooms, according to Jean Julien, vice-president of marketing for Restaurants Normandin.
Finally, do you know Savsav, newly located in the Brewster Building in Saint-Henri, offering coffee, catering and cocktails?
Three partners bring their respective expertise: Félix Lam takes care of coffee and tea, Vincent Monast manages the catering offering and Antoine Doucet-Chagnon is responsible for the cocktail program and the wine list.
Savsav, inspired by the expression “Those who know, know”, aims to create a unique space combining café, kitchen and bar, despite its discreet location in the Brewster Building. The location, although hidden, offers a spacious space with high ceilings, industrial architecture, custom furnishings and a welcoming ambiance.
The “café-resto” menu offers pastries, coffees from Traffic, teas from Cultivate, specialties like the HCMC latte and catering dishes made from. In the evening, on Thursdays and Fridays, the chef offers gourmet creations, mixing Italian, Asian and Nordic influences, with local ingredients. The “cocktail” menu includes revisited drinks, creations with or without alcohol and a selection of mainly organic or natural wines.
The trio is also planning upcoming events, showcasing Montreal culture and creativity.
