By Michelle Ramsay
Three closures, four openings and one move so far this spring. Also, lots of new patios and a lost Lowertown coin will soon be replaced.
The season opened with the landlord at 39 Clarence Street locking out the owners of Haveli Indian Restaurant due to unpaid rent long past due – according to a notice on the door.
Stella Osteria at 81 Clarence Street was no sooner reopened following renovations than it closed again, this time permanently. A business called Bar Gusto has posted a Now Hiring poster in the window, staking its claim on the vacated space.
Following stints in two different retail spaces at 100 Murray Street, Italian menswear boutique Armen shuttered ts storefront and moved online to armentstyle.com.
Créations Lucas Jewelry Designer moved from 483 Sussex Drive to Unit 100, 260 St-Patrick Street, just east of Dahousie Street.
In Clarendon Courtyard, 10 York Street is being fitted up for Oz Kafe, moving into the Market after a long and successful run at 361 Elgin Street. The owners are looking forward to having a larger space in the two-storey heritage building. It will be interestng to see how the NCC will divide up the patio area between Oz and its immediate neighbour, Moscow Tearoom – both of which are open from dinner to 2 am.
Two gelato places will be opening up very soon. The first, Mantovani 1946, w serve Italian artisan gelato, as well as pizza, panini and pastries. The Mantovani franchise has eight gelato shops in Europe; 87 Murray Street, the space next door to Scooteretti, is its first in North America. Having peeked n the door to check the renovation work, we can tell you that it promises to be chic.
The second s Sash Gelato Café, opening in May n the storefront previously occupied by Lush Handmade Cosmetics at 43 Murray Street. It too will offer artisan gelato, as well as gelateria crêpes and waffles, coffee and smoothes.
Word on the street: a deli is moving into 5 ByWard Market Square – the old Sausage Kitchen space – and a bridal boutique will fill the vacancy left by Créations Lucas at 483 Sussex Drive.
All the street parking spots on the west side of Market Square have been kitted up with new outdoor patios for Zak’s Diner, Asian Alley, Cupcake Lounge, and Blue Cactus. The parking spots w re-opened for the winter months.
Lastly, a construction permit has appeared n the window of the vacated Mellos Restaurant at 290 Dalhousie Street. It was issued to Linejac Investments and John Doran Trustee, for interior alterations on the first floor. Its key the space s being fitted up for ACE Mercado, but who knows?