Restaurant boost in the ByWard Market

Despite several businesses leaving the ByWard Market recently, new ones are quickly coming in to take their place. CTV’s Camille Wilson reports.

Despite restaurants leaving the ByWard Market due to negative perceptions, some new business owners are opening up shop and are hopeful for business.

Yuvraj Chhabra, owner of Chuck’s Roadhouse says people should come visit and give them a try.

“Feeling is good. Good reviews so far,” said Chhabra. “I’ve been in this business for the last four years. I’ve been running a couple of restaurants, but I’m always positive, so I hope it goes well.”

The restaurants are captivating Chuck’s Roadhouse fans that are glad to have a convenient location.

“We’ve been to Chuck’s out in the west end, and this is the first time in here. It’s brand new and beautiful. Really impressed by the whole ambiance of the place. We love it,” said Denis Hyland, who’s attending Chuck’s Roadhouse in ByWard for the first time.

“The price is fabulous, the beer is an awesome price, the food is good. We just heard about this one opening, so we thought we’d give it a go,” says Jane Dwyer, attending Chuck’s Roadhouse in ByWard for the first time.

Chuck’s Roadhouse opened on Tuesday in the former Dunn’s famous deli location after more than 15 years in the ByWard Market.

The ByWard authority say it’s a push to help revitalize the city.

“I think what you’re seeing is it’s the turnover of businesses. It’s the turnover of concepts and ideas from the entrepreneurial community. ByWard has always been the home of entrepreneurial spirit here in Ottawa. It’s exciting to see these new concepts emerge,” said Zachary Dayler, the executive director of the ByWard Market District Authority.

Dayler says despite the negative comments it’s all about perception and the best way to get through that is for people to come down to the market to see the changes for themselves.

“It’s inviting for people to come down and experience something new. It’s an invitation. Maybe you haven’t been down to the Byward Market in a few years - come on down and see what’s changed. See the new offerings,” said Dayler.

Barrio is also opening up shop in the ByWard market and the owner says he’s excited to bring something new to the city because there hasn’t been much authentic South American food.

“We’re all super excited to open Barrio here. It’s lot about our culture. People that work here - a lot of them are Latinos in my kitchen. 90 per cent of the people speak Spanish. We’re all very, very excited to bring something spicy and new to the city,” said Lizardo Becerra, chef and owner of Barrio restaurant. “South American food is so broad and so diverse. That we’re so happy to showcase it and excited to be in the market.”

Becerra says he hasn’t seen so many people in the market in years and this is why he feels like it’s the perfect time and location to bring something like this in.

“We’re in the entrance of the ByWard market, which makes it super nice. We have people from the Rideau Centre, from the Metro and a lot of tourists from different parts of Canada just coming more and more to downtown,” said Becerra.

Barrio will serve up to 200 people for service, with 100 people on the patio and inside to hold around 80 to 90 people.

Becerra says he’s looking forward to sharing the menu with everything made from their hearts – with cuisine from Colombia, Venezuela, Peru and Brazil.

“My background is I’m from Brazil. When we saw this opening, we said it’s the perfect spot for us,” said Juliana Poli, who’s visiting Barrio for the first time.

Poli says she believes the restaurant came at the perfect time to the ByWard market.

“I know that the ByWard market is trying to revitalize the area. I think it’s amazing to have this amount of opportunities nearby,” said Poli.

“I was chatting with the server, and I told her that I was very happy to see that they have caipirinha on the menu. I was looking for something with more of a Brazilian taste. This is also something that attracts us when we see something that is very close to our heart and makes us feel less homesick,” said Poli.

The boost will help draw people into the ByWard market, Ottawa’s tourist hub.

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