Star Grill shuttered after two decades in business
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Monthly Digital Subscription
$1 per week for 24 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
Monthly Digital Subscription
$4.75/week*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Winnipeg Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*$1 will be added to your next bill. After your 4 weeks access is complete your rate will increase by $0.00 a X percent off the regular rate.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/11/2018 (2502 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
A St. James restaurant has abruptly closed its doors after more than 22 years, leaving former patrons with fond memories and unanswered questions.
A Facebook post Tuesday announced the closure.
The restaurant opened in February 1996, at 2069 Portage Ave., across from the footbridge to Assiniboine Park. The grill was known for its combination of dining and Tarot card readings.
“We regret that the Star Grill is no longer in operation. We would like to thank everyone who patronized the Star for the last 22 years. Thank you for all the wonderful memories throughout the years. We will miss you,” the Facebook post reads. “May your stars always shine brightly.”
The post also said a new restaurant will be opening at the location in December.
A sign on the building’s door says “closed for renovations,” though it is unclear whether this means a renewed Star Grill will be opening or a different restaurant is taking over the location.
Responses to the closure were immediate on Facebook, with many posts sharing memories of times spent in the restaurant and well-wishes to the owner, Shirley Vlassie.
“I am so saddened to hear that the Star Grill is no longer in operation. My true love, Jodi, and I met for the very first time at the Star Grill,” Stephanie Subtelny commented on Facebook. “Your restaurant will be missed, but forever in our memories and our stars will definitely continue to shine brightly.”
Other posts, however, said the closure was not a big surprise. One commenter claimed during their last visit, the Star Grill ran out of half its menu items and had “horrible” service.
Reviews were mostly positive, with the Star Grill receiving four out of five stars on TripAdvisor and Zomato, popular food review websites.
There was also some speculation on why the restaurant was shuttered, with some suggesting Vlassie was retiring.
According to court documents, the Assiniboine Credit Union sued the Star Grill in 2010 over a $15,000 unpaid loan. In 2016, the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce sued Vlassie for more than $40,000 over unpaid credit card debt.
Multiple attempts to reach Vlassie by phone and email for comment Wednesday were unsuccessful.
danton.unger@freepress.mb.ca