Le Belga restaurant, located on Grande Allée in Quebec City, will close its doors for good this Saturday, February 11.
“After 5 years of operation, the restaurant Le Belga will mark its last evening of operation on Saturday February 11, 2023”, indicates the establishment in a publication on Facebook.
The exact reasons for this closure have not been specified. One of the owners, Luc Van Steene indicated, by e-mail, that he did not wish to speak to the media regarding the reasons for this decision and that it was a “business decision”.
“Simply because there is nothing to add,” said Mr. Van Steene. As mentioned, the closure of Belga is a business decision that will allow us to maintain our other businesses in good financial health”.
The restaurateur chose to look ahead following this difficult decision by inviting its customers to come to other of its businesses, in particular to drink the products of the Microbrasserie de l’Île d’Orléans.
“Go all year round to Pub le Mitan and La Microbrasserie located in Sainte-Famille on Île d’Orléans. Looking forward to serving you one last time during the Carnival,” he concluded.
“We felt it coming”
Jonathan Ollat, president of Action promotion Grande Allée and co-owner of the restaurant L’Atelier, says he is not surprised by the announcement.
“We felt it coming. Staff level, it was more difficult than some other restaurants, “he says, adding that he does not know the reasons for this closure.
According to Mr. Ollat, this announcement may seem surprising, especially following having survived the worst of the pandemic.
“In 2022, in general, a lot of restaurants had a good year. The timing is special,” he observes.
The Belga is not the only restaurant to close its doors permanently, almost three years following the start of the pandemic. Lockdown-related closures, staff shortages and the difficult economic situation are the main reasons for these closures.
Among the many closures in Quebec City are the Cosmos branches in Lévis and Grande Allée, La Tyrolienne, Jaja La Pizz, Tomas Tam on Pierre-Bertrand Boulevard and Café Sirocco.