In this new edition, we will introduce you to the new owner of Brasserie Mario-Tremblay, a real institution located in Alma, we will discuss a decision rendered by the Superior Court in a case involving Casa Grecque and, finally, we will give the floor to the owners of sugar shacks who are tired of the pandemic!
First, let's start with the announcement of a new owner at Brasserie Mario-Tremblay. Sébastien Rodrigue has just acquired the building on rue Collard in Alma as well as the restaurant. Mr. Rodrigue, a connoisseur of Quebec wines and accustomed to the restaurant business, previously worked at La Cage and always dreamed of owning his own restaurant.
He wants to first assess the situation of the restaurant and its employees before announcing any changes. But given his passion for local wine, it wouldn't be surprising to see a few local bottles appear on the menu!
The previous owner is Pierre Gaudreault, who owned the Brasserie on behalf of famous Montreal Canadiens player Mario Tremblay, originally from Alma.
Second, a dispute between Casa Grecque's parent company and its Granby franchisee ended in court this week. The co-owner of the Granby branch had decided to sell alcoholic beverages on site when the business model of Casa Grecque has always been a "bring your own wine" formula.
The franchisee took this initiative in the spring of 2020, in the midst of a pandemic crisis, in order to counter the damage caused by the reduction in the capacity of the dining room.
However, the chain's owner urged him to stop the practice, saying the proposal would damage the image of the company, which has always been recognized by its customers as a "bring your own wine".
The restaurant located on Principale Street in Granby now has three months to dispose of the alcoholic beverages currently in stock and to cease all alcohol sales thereafter.
Finally, the sugar shacks are not at the end of their trouble. In addition to having lost in the exchange during the last two springs due to health restrictions imposed by COVID-19, the coming summer does not look any rosier.
Since Quebec's sugar shacks have large rooms that can accommodate several hundred guests, it is not uncommon for newlyweds to take the opportunity to hold their receptions at these locations each summer.
However, due to constraints still imposed by the government, the number of guests is limited to 25 people. This is of course insufficient to garner significant income and enable them to survive. These bookings usually account for almost 50% of their annual sales!