2 replies to this topic

[tombarnes]

Ben's Demolished for Boutique Hotel

The beloved Ben's delicatessen in downtown Montreal has been demolished to make way for a new boutique hotel. The attractions of the building itself may have been overstated in the attempt to preserve it. Still, its passing is worth noting. Fortunately, much of the interior was salvaged and will be preserved at the McCord museum.

The Montreal Gazette

[Mike D]

Damn! And I never got to try it when I was last in Montreal in July 2007. This is like when the Second Avenue Deli shut down at the end of 2005, although at least Second Avenue Deli reopened on 33rd St between Lexington and 3rd Avenues.

It take it there aren't any plans for a new Ben's as of now.

[Glassoul]

Mike D, on Feb 19 2009, 10:14 PM, said:

Damn! And I never got to try it when I was last in Montreal in July 2007. This is like when the Second Avenue Deli shut down at the end of 2005, although at least Second Avenue Deli reopened on 33rd St between Lexington and 3rd Avenues.

It take it there aren't any plans for a new Ben's as of now.

It had been surviving on its reputation for a looong time. You didn't miss anything, unfortunately. It hadn't been doing too well over the last decade, the owners weren't investing in the upkeep of the place, and when the unionized staff went on strike the owners just decided to close it up and bulldoze it.

Edited by Glassoul, 05 March 2009 - 04:43 AM.