Grand Experience to close at end of August
Charlie McDonald, owner of The Grand Experience in Lindsay, says on a social media post that the well-known restaurant and bar will close by the end of August.
“After 160 years of serving the downtown Lindsay community, the buildings of 171-185 Kent Street have been sold, and because I have not had a lease since this past March, we have been evicted with 30 days notice,” McDonald writes.
The new developer — APG Kent Street Properties Corp — has indicated in the past that it will eventually demolish the existing three-storey hotel and restaurant as well as the two-storey building at 171-183 Kent St. W. to create an all-new building made up of retail stores, a restaurant, and offices on the upper floors.
“To say that I am devastated would be an understatement. This restaurant has been a staple of the community and there have been a million memories made under this roof.”
The business owner says the staff will miss the daily socializing with their many regular patrons, as well as meeting new people who come and go.
“With our catering events, we’ve been honoured to be part of your family celebrations, both happy and sad.”
McDonald writes that the management “can’t thank our staff enough, who over the years have become part of our family and gave their heart, pride and soul to their work.”
“It has not gone unnoticed, and The Grand wouldn’t have been what is was without you.”
At this time, McDonald writes that he doesn’t know what the future of the location holds.
McDonald thanks the community and encourages everyone “to come and enjoy a last ‘grand experience’ with us this month.”
–More to come.
Sir Sandford Fleming graduate from ’82, ’83, ’84 and ’94. I spent a lot of memorable time in the Grand Hotel, they had the very best pizza in town and great beer!! It would be a travesty to see this historic site be torn down.