Mystery surrounds shuttering of Bouchée Boucher eatery

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This article was published 09/03/2018 (3044 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Bouchée Boucher, the popular St. Boniface eatery, is closed at least until the beginning of April.

That news comes less than three weeks after its sister restaurant — Osborne Village’s Ward 1 — went out of business little more than two months after their grand opening.

The announcement was made on two of the Bouchée Boucher’s social media accounts, but made clear that while the restaurant was temporarily closed, the accompanying butcher shop would continue to operate.

Following the abrupt Feb. 16 closure of Ward 1, which marked the latest blink-and-you-missed it venture in Osborne Village, one of Bouchée Boucher’s suppliers announced they were severing ties with the restaurant and butcher shop.

The supplier, Harborside Farms, based in Pilot Mound, made the announcement on their social media account on Feb. 18 — two days after Ward 1 closed its doors.

“We are sad to say that we are no longer associated with Bouchée Boucher restaurant and butcher shop, as well as Ward 1 restaurant and lounge,” Harborside Farms wrote.

“For all direct marketing farmers who are interested in dealing with food service establishments, I would recommend getting credit references from potential customers before extending any product on credit terms of any sort to anyone.”

Bouchée Boucher, which opened in December 2016, was the brainchild of husband-and-wife team Alexander Svenne and Danielle Carignan Svenne, who were the original owner-operators of the former Bistro 7 1/4 on Osborne Street.

They have since cut ties with the St. Boniface restaurant, but have moved on to open a new eatery — Little Goat — on Portage Avenue.

Bouchée Boucher, which is located in a renovated mixed-use building on Tache Avenue, is now solely owned by Steve Conner — who was also the owner of Ward 1.

The Svennes, Harborside Farms and Conner were originally partners in Bouchée Boucher, with the Svennes running the kitchen, Conner looking after the business side and Harborside supplying most of the meat.

According to the announcement on the restaurant’s social media accounts, it will be reopening with a new concept at the beginning of next month.

“We are working hard to launch our new and exciting restaurant concept April 1 — a restaurant that is truly serviced by our butcher-shop and is here to service the St. Boniface community. Stay tuned for exciting new information, hours and menu,” the post reads.

Conner did not respond to a request for comment.

ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @rk_thorpe