‘It just doesn't seem fair': Clarendon Courtyard patios to close early due to NCC construction
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But for these restaurants, patio season will end more than a month earlier than expected.
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Restaurants must clear their patios from the courtyard to make way for National Capital Commission (NCC) construction expected to begin on Aug. 11. Being made aware of the closure from a July 18 NCC letter, restaurants whose patios extend to the courtyard are now grappling with the impacts on their business and anticipated revenue losses.
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'We recognize the challenge these essential repairs pose to our tenants,' the NCC communications adviser Benoît Desjardins wrote in a July 28 email statement. 'We made significant adjustments to the construction plans and timelines to reduce disruptions to this patio season and the 2026 patio season, but the fact remains that this type of work can only be done during a certain time of the year.'
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The scope of the project includes addressing potential safety hazards, replacing pavers, upgrading stormwater management systems, creating a universally accessible courtyard and new lighting installations, according to the letter businesses received.
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The statement added that construction is set to begin in mid-August and be completed by spring 2026.
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'The pain is very big, more than you can imagine,' said Moe Alameddine, the owner of Dark Fork restaurant on the corner of the courtyard.
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Dark Fork's patio service offers patrons the opportunity to order their food in American Sign Language, while being served by a deaf waitstaff, Alameddine said. With his 42 seats in the courtyard patio getting shut down, Alameddine says he anticipates at least $50,000 in revenue losses and having to dismiss eight employees.
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'The NCC is a government. They should be the parents, they should take care (of us),' he said. 'I'm very disappointed.'
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Across the courtyard, Social Restaurant + Lounge general manager Jessica MacEwen says 60 per cent of the restaurant's capacity operates on the patio. The restaurant also offers its courtyard space for wedding bookings and photo opportunities.
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'Think low lighting, cobblestones, twinkle lights and beautiful trees. It's almost like a mini Quebec City in a corner,' MacEwen said of the area. 'It's quite picturesque.'
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‘It just doesn't seem fair': Clarendon Courtyard patios to close early due to NCC construction
At the Clarendon Courtyard in the ByWard Market, some restaurant patios are surrounded by stone walls with cobblestone lining the ground. Tall trees cast shade upon the tables and chairs, and fairy lights are draped above. Article content But for these restaurants, patio season will end more than a month earlier than expected. Article content Article content Restaurants must clear their patios from the courtyard to make way for National Capital Commission (NCC) construction expected to begin on Aug. 11. Being made aware of the closure from a July 18 NCC letter, restaurants whose patios extend to the courtyard are now grappling with the impacts on their business and anticipated revenue losses. Article content Article content 'We recognize the challenge these essential repairs pose to our tenants,' the NCC communications adviser Benoît Desjardins wrote in a July 28 email statement. 'We made significant adjustments to the construction plans and timelines to reduce disruptions to this patio season and the 2026 patio season, but the fact remains that this type of work can only be done during a certain time of the year.' Article content Article content The scope of the project includes addressing potential safety hazards, replacing pavers, upgrading stormwater management systems, creating a universally accessible courtyard and new lighting installations, according to the letter businesses received. Article content The statement added that construction is set to begin in mid-August and be completed by spring 2026. Article content 'The pain is very big, more than you can imagine,' said Moe Alameddine, the owner of Dark Fork restaurant on the corner of the courtyard. Article content Article content Dark Fork's patio service offers patrons the opportunity to order their food in American Sign Language, while being served by a deaf waitstaff, Alameddine said. With his 42 seats in the courtyard patio getting shut down, Alameddine says he anticipates at least $50,000 in revenue losses and having to dismiss eight employees. Article content 'The NCC is a government. They should be the parents, they should take care (of us),' he said. 'I'm very disappointed.' Article content Article content Across the courtyard, Social Restaurant + Lounge general manager Jessica MacEwen says 60 per cent of the restaurant's capacity operates on the patio. The restaurant also offers its courtyard space for wedding bookings and photo opportunities. Article content 'Think low lighting, cobblestones, twinkle lights and beautiful trees. It's almost like a mini Quebec City in a corner,' MacEwen said of the area. 'It's quite picturesque.'
