The Fish Market Restaurant closing in the ByWard Market

Byward Market Fish Market closing Famous Byward Market restaurant open for 40 years will not survive the lockdown. CTV’s Christina Succi reports.

OTTAWA — After 41 years of service, a popular fish and seafood house in the ByWard Market is closing.

The Fish Market Restaurant has announced its group of restaurants at York Street and William Street is closing. The restaurants include Coasters Seafood Grill and Vineyards Wine Bar Bistro.

"Like so many others, the COVID-19 virus closure has devastated our business," the Fish Market Restaurant said in a message on Facebook.

"We will be unable to recover and will not re-open our beloved three restaurants. With a broken heart we are closing our doors of more than four decades and as one of the very first restaurants in the ByWard Market."

The Fish Market Restaurant, Coasters Seafood Grill and Vineyards Bar Bistro were forced to closed to in-person dining back in March due to the COVID-19.

"We will miss serving you beautiful fish meals and wine, we will miss our staff and management team and we will miss the market," said The Fish Market.

"May you all keep us in your fondest memories as an institution of the ByWard Market, and may you all stay safe and healthy."

In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, Mayor Jim Watson said he's "saddened" to hear of the closing of the Fish Market Restaurant.

"It has been a landmark in the ByWard Market for decades and it has shown that COVID-19 has and will continue to have a devastating impact on small businesses in our city.”