Latest news with #DinerDeluxe
CBC
13 hours ago
- Business
- CBC
Marda Loop businesses sue City of Calgary for $75 million over 'debilitating' 2-year construction project
Social Sharing A group of Marda Loop businesses is suing the City of Calgary for $75 million over an ongoing, two-year construction project that has left the plaintiffs "suffering dire financial consequences," according to a statement of claim. The lawsuit centres around the "Marda Loop Main Streets" project, a redesign of 33rd and 34th Avenues S.W. Construction on the project began in June 2023 and was supposed to be completed in the summer of 2024. The project is now set to be completed in October 2025. Silver Sage Beef and Diner Deluxe are the two named plaintiffs, representing a group of businesses in the proposed class action, which has yet to be certified. The lawsuit alleges the city was negligent in carrying out its construction of the project, which has faced "constant disruptions" and "undue delay," according to the statement of claim. The plaintiffs claim the city owed the businesses a duty of care to ensure safe access and to ensure businesses do not suffer economic hardship. According to the lawsuit, access to the plaintiffs' businesses has been restricted for years. 'Extreme drops' in customers They say they've experienced "extreme drops in customer traffic due to road closures, restrictive access, and the general unappealing prospects of a construction zone." The lawsuit argues that the project has caused reduced foot traffic in the area, lowered property values, increased vacancy, and caused a "loss of goodwill and customer satisfaction, mental health and well-being, competitive disadvantage," having an impact on "long-term viability." With construction hours running Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., the businesses have faced "a sharp and debilitating decline in sales and patronage caused by the disruptions," according to the claim. The lawsuit alleges that some businesses have been forced to shutter while others have had to lay off workers. The City of Calgary has not yet filed a statement of defence and none of the allegations made in the statement of claim have been proven in court. In a brief statement provided to CBC News, the city says it is aware of the claim and is in the midst of reviewing it.
CTV News
a day ago
- Business
- CTV News
Marda Loop business owners launch class-action lawsuit against city over construction disruption
The City of Calgary is facing a class-action lawsuit from Marda Loop business owners, who say construction has caused them dire financial consequences. The City of Calgary is facing a class-action lawsuit from Marda Loop business owners. Businesses in the southwest along 33rd and 34th avenues, between Crowchild Trail and 14th Street, say construction there has caused them 'dire financial consequences,' and so they're taking the city to court. They want to be compensated $75 million plus 'special damages' to be proven in court. The businesses say the city offered some money in 2022, but it's a fraction of the total loss. The statement of claim says the plaintiffs are suing because: The defendant was negligent in carrying out its construction of the project; Construction of the project injuriously affected the plaintiffs; and Construction of the project caused nuisance to the plaintiffs. Silver Sage Beef and Diner Deluxe are leading this class-action lawsuit. Specifically, they state poor communication and lack of access to their stores due to the construction are among the main reasons behind the lawsuit. 'Our clients are basically telling us that they are selling their homes, they're getting second mortgages and they're hanging on by a thread … and that a number of other businesses have already left,' said Husna Ali Bik with Napoli Shkolnik Canada. In a statement, the city acknowledged the claim. 'We are aware of the claim and are currently reviewing it,' the city said. 'As the matter is now before the courts, we are not able to provide any further comment.' Marda Loop has been undergoing about $30 million worth of construction over three years. It's set to wrap up by Oct. 31. With files by Damien Wood
Calgary Herald
01-05-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Chorney-Booth: Pure Saigonese Kitchen moves in with Diner Deluxe
Sitting in a modern-retro brunch restaurant isn't exactly where I'd expect to find one of the most delicious bowls of pho I've ever had the pleasure of slurping. But one rainy day a few weeks ago, I found myself tucked into a booth at the Marda Loop location of Diner Deluxe, tucking into a steaming hot bowl of Vietnamese soup. Article content Article content No, Diner Deluxe has not switched from egg bennies to banh mi sandwiches. Rather, the popular daytime-only restaurant opened up its space to a new concept called Pure Saigonese Kitchen, now operating from the diner from 5 p.m. onwards, five nights a week. Article content Article content Pure Saigonese is the latest project from celebrated chef Lam Pham, who gained attention a decade ago for his modern Vietnamese fare at Watercress Express and, perhaps most notably, the extremely well-regarded Pure Modern Asian Kitchen. A tricky location with parking problems and the challenges of the pandemic led to Pure Modern's closure in 2023, although by that point, Pham was also running the Pure Street Food kiosk in First Street Market, so he wasn't left completely empty-handed. Frustrated by the pitfalls of operating a standalone restaurant, Pham decided his successful business within the market was enough to satisfy his drive to make delicious Vietnamese food. But then, as it so often does, opportunity came knocking. Article content Article content Diner Deluxe Marda Loop is also home to Side Hustle, a clandestine little cocktail bar tucked in the back of the building, and the owners asked Pham if he wanted to do a pop-up in that space. The chef demurred, but the offer led to a conversation about how the two businesses could collaborate. Open daily until mid-afternoon, the diner was sitting empty in the evening hours. Taking cues from other restaurateurs who have set up nighttime service in daytime-only spaces like the downtown Meat and Bread sandwich shop, Pham struck a deal with Diner Deluxe and launched Pure Saigonese earlier this spring. Article content Article content Article content While there is some overlap, Pham is adamant that Pure Saigonese is not Pure Modern Asian 2.0, a shift that is partially a response to the times but also the confines of its location. While Diner Deluxe has a hip interior design, it is intentionally casual, so Pham has gone with a more relaxed and approachable take on contemporary Vietnamese food. The cooking equipment also provides some limitations – he is working with a borrowed kitchen specifically designed for Western brunch service – but in general, he's put together a menu he describes as 'rich, bold, and fresh,' celebrating shareable dishes, including a few Pure classics. Pham named the restaurant after Saigon, known as the hub of Vietnamese cuisine. Article content 'I wanted them to be similar, but different concepts,' Pham says. 'This one is not upscale Vietnamese. It's not supposed to be a fancy restaurant. It's meant to be casual, fun, energetic, comfortable food. Article content Article content Since Calgary is a city that loves its Vietnamese cuisine, there are plenty of dishes that will be familiar to anyone who's been in a neighbourhood pho shop, but Pham adds an extra special something to everything on the menu. My aforementioned pho experience consisted of the AAA tenderloin steak pot au pho ($32) augmented with thick slices of beef to fortify the broth and add a touch of luxury and heft (you can also get a more standard pho or a chicken pho, both priced at $20).
