Shoeless Joe’s at 856 Eglinton East and UrBun Eats, the burger restaurant at 874 Eglinton (beside Starbucks) are both closed, apparent victims of the construction war zone that is the Crosslinx LRT project. Shoeless Joe’s bears a bailiff’s sign on the door regarding unpaid rent. Patio chairs and umbrellas still sit outside on the sidewalk as uncollected mail piles up inside the front door. The locks appear to have been changed about a week ago. Urban Eats, started with high hopes about a year ago by retail veteran Domenic Buttiglieiri, is also permanently closed. There is social media comment and speculation about the quality of the service at Shoeless Joe’s, a franchise operation, but there seems little doubt that the businesses have suffered badly from the impact of construction.
BUSINESS FROM SOUTH OF EGLINTON DECLINES
Merchants on the north side of Eglinton well beyond South Bayview know very well the reluctance of many people living south of the street to fight their way through the chaos. Chantelle Vaillencourt is among those commenting (32 posts by Sunday night) She says “Eglinton & Laird is a tough area to run a business in order to pay the rent. Same now for Eglinton and Mt. Pleasant and Eglinton and Bayview.” Facebook
Urban Eats, if gone, was my favourite weekend restaurant. Great food, friendly service. It will be difficult to find a better crispy chicken burger or fries! I hope they will return to the neighbourhood… or find residence nearby where I can patronize.