Lorenzo Bar and Grill moving locations due to LRT construction

A restaurateur on Richmond Road is moving his business because lengthy Stage 2 LRT construction is keeping customers away. CTV’s Josh Marano reports.

It’s the end of an era at Lorenzo Bar and Grill, shutting down it’s location on Richmond and moving to the Greenbank area.

According to owner Gillian Danby, the restaurant can’t survive any longer as January marked their worst financial month since opening seven years ago.

“We’re going to start fresh again. We’re going into a location where it’s very busy, bustling young people around all different ages,” Danby said. “I don’t have to worry about construction. It’s a new area, no construction. I don’t have to worry about any of this.”

The reason for the dramatic decline is related to Stage 2 of LRT construction. It’s been going on for years but the latest project to finish a section along Richmond Road and Byron Avenue in west Ottawa has caused confusion for customers who used to frequent the plaza.

“Nobody comes at lunch anymore, just some of our bar guys but our business has gone down completely,” Danby said.

She says they asked for help from the city and councillor Theresa Kavanagh but received no help.

“All they said they promised will encourage people in the community, you know, mail them to come to your establishment,” Danby added. “Have you seen the maze in here? People do not want to come because of the maze.”

“I’m done and I’m moving on, and I’m actually very happy to do so.”

Next door at Kiki’s Barbershop, owner Alaa Kiki says he may be following Danby and Lorenzo, as the restaurant was responsible for providing most of its clients.

“While they are here, sometimes they come in, some of them, they will come for haircut,” Kiki said. “Now when they move, (we’ll get) less clients. It’s bad.”

Danby says the restaurant’s final day on Richmond Street is Monday and she will spend the next couple of weeks emptying the diner in preparation of their move.

More details to come