Citing lack of business, Cheryl Doherty, owner of Minstrels Gastropub on Spring Garden Road, has told The Coast she is closing the business, effective immediately.
“I’ve never had to close a business before,” Doherty writes in an email. “I suppose it’s like any investment, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. I have to break the news to the bank, etc, today, but my priority is looking after the staff and suppliers.
“I’m actually looking forward to getting back to focusing on the three Old Triangles. Despite a soft economy, all three have remained solid, and I’d rather work at making them better and more profitable. Our catering division is also doing very well. The hardest part of this is putting staff out of work. If it was April instead of October, I probably would have had space for most of them, but I have managed to re-employ some key personnel.”
This article appears in Oct 8-14, 2009.
I really enjoyed Minstrels and am sad to see that it’s closing (those sweet potato fries!). Best of luck to everyone who worked there!
Minstrels did everything right – maybe Hfx just wasn’t ready for the gastro pub
I also enjoyed Minstrels. I don’t go out very often but had been there quite a few times – I’m sorry it wasn’t enough! Great spot, delicious food. Thanks for the good times and good luck with your other businesses!
Minsterls was amazing!
Good food with an incredible atmosphere! Nothing like it in Halifax, I was sure it would be a hit!
I found it OK. Staff was nice, food was fine but the whole place just didn’t seem to fit in any genre of establishment category. I know it was a “gastro pub” but having traveled a fair amount throughout the world I have seldom (if ever) seen another “gastro pub”. The place was always empty on my visits. Good move on the owners part to concentrate on their successful businesses. Good luck……….. Halifax (Spring Garden Rd) needs a great Happy Hour – any thoughts????????
I thought Minstrels had potential, but I’m not surprised to see it’s closing. It’s a good location though, with a great patio, so I hope something good comes along in its place.
I have lived downtown or North end Halifax for almost 2 decades and I’ve never heard of it. Where is/was it?
It was on Spring Garden where the Thirsty Duck was.
Well, than explains a lot. People in Halifax have pretty long memories (Fat Franks, anyone) and I doubt most people would take seriously a redo of the Thirsty Duck location. Let a generation or two go by and maybe…
I probably would have tried it at some point, too bad I missed out.
I thought the staff was super-friendly. Especially the bartender, Patrick. Really enjoyed spending time there and a shame to see it close.
So long to another Halifax scam. There was no gastro, no pub. Just another clear lack of imagination in an attempt to push cheap booze. Who’s next on the closure list, the Irish?….;)
I wish to hell they would just get a bar, B-A-R back in Halifax. Everything has to be “Gastro-this, and La-De-da That”. That is why businesses are dying off, everything has to be all fancy dancy. I hate seeing things close up, but nothing appeals to the regular man anymore, now that even Midtown died off.
I kinda liked Mintrels. The food was good and the atmosphere was great – crazy cool stained glass windows in the lobby. It’s another loss for the city of Halifax … 🙁
Someone might like to tell Chaddernaut there that the Midtown is alive and well. And kinda nice now.
I agree, the whole ‘gastropub’ thing is a nit much for Nova Scotia.