Montreal Restaurant Closings

Edgar Hypertaverne Shuts it Down After 13 Years

by Ian Harrison May 23, 2014, 8:12am EDT

Éric Le François, a partner in Edgar Hypertaverne, took to Facebook yesterday to announce the closure of his Plateau bar this summer, after over a decade in business. Le François will presumably concentrate his efforts on future projects, as well as La Taverne Normand, Drinkerie Ste-Cunégonde and Rufus Rockhead in Griffintown (where Simple Plan guitarist Jeff Stinco is a partner).

Le François' intent was to make the statement later this summer but it seems a website "dans le potinage de bar et restaurant" forced his hand. Here then, a translated excerpt of his long text on Edgar Hypertaverne's shutdown.

Dear Customers and Friends,
After 13 years we turn the page on Edgar Hypertaverne. Indeed, after all these years, it has become increasingly difficult to stay viable among all the exciting new places in Plateau Mont-Royal. We could put the blame on our "good" Mayor Ferrandez who has not been a help to businesspeople but the reality is not so simple.

The proliferation of neighborhood bars in other parts of the city is also a factor. The Plateau is not the destination it once was although is still a great place to live and go out. But unlike 5 or 10 years ago, our customers now come mostly from the neighbourhood. Which is not a bad thing, but it forces us to adjust and work harder for less results. That said, it is extremely difficult to be the "flavor of the month" after all these years. I even have to admit that having lasted this long makes me very proud. I'm proud of my work and proud of my associates who were able to renew the place over the years: Martin Proulx, the heart and soul of the bar during all these years, and his two acolytes for several years, Genevran Bernard and Eric Bondo. Thank you, I love you. I obviously want to mention the quality of staff we have had over the years. Really.

That being said, there are still good times to be had at Edgar Hypertaverne and we welcome you over the coming weeks as the terrasse opens and the mojo is still in place! Our closure will coincide with our 13th anniversary, which will be epic!

Those who know me well know that I'm not ready to hang up my apron and I will proclaim to you very soon our new projects, which will again and again involve places to DRINK BEER! (from [Jeff Stinco's Brasseurs de] West Shefford of course!)

In the meantime, visit us at Edgar. It will please me to see you there to toast the summer and 13 beautiful years.

CHEERS!