After just three months of business, Merchant’s Seafood & Chop House (1580 Argyle) has closed. The restaurant opened in August and shut down about a month ago due to, according to a former employee, a lack of business and just plain bad luck. She said Merchants failed to rake in many customers on the tough market of Argyle Street. A bartender at neighbouring establishment Bitter End reiterates; “It’s a tough time of year to open a business.” There are rumours that a big-name restaurant will be moving in to the Merchant’s old spot, but no word on who just yet.
This article appears in Dec 3-9, 2009.