Le Cagibi Has Checked out of Mile End and Into Little Italy

MILE END — Iconic Mile End café and arts space Le Cagibi has closed its doors, two months after announcing it would be forced to move after a new building owner jacked up the coffee shop’s monthly rent by more than 100 percent, from about $3,400 to $7,500. Landlords Jeremy Kornbluth and Brandon Shiller (who is the son of real estate magnate Stephen Shiller, of Shiller Lavy realtors) never went on the record about the rent increase, but other reporting about the closure indicated that they would not budge on the question of doubling the rent. It’s not the end for Le Cagibi: signs posted in the door confirm that it’s going to reopen a few blocks north later this month, across from Little Italy Park, but as previously reported, the new space won’t be able to hold concerts. It’s not known what will take over the prime location on the corner of St-Viateur and Parc, but one thing is for sure: it won’t be cinnamon bun chain Cinnabon.

PLATEAU — A little over a year after opening on the Prince-Arthur pedestrian street, “Quebexican” taco spot Arturo has shut its doors — its website calls the shutter temporary, but there’s no indication of a possible reopening date anywhere online.

WESTMOUNT — Ceiba Latin Bistro, one of few Venezuelan options in the city (and even fewer west of downtown), has closed up shop just off Victoria Avenue.

DOWNTOWN — An Eater tipster reports that Concordia-adjacent pizza and pasta spot Rotisserie Italienne has shuttered on Sainte-Catherine W.

DOWNTOWN — Not far away, sushi joint Yakata on Sherbrooke and Guy has vanished off the map.

DOWNTOWN — In case Bishop Street’s construction work wasn’t causing enough troubles for restaurants and other businesses, the Irish Embassy pub has confirmed that it will remain closed for at least six months following a five-alarm fire a few weeks back. Also caught up in the fire were bars John Doe, Grumpy’s, and Comedyworks, none of which have set possible reopening dates — read the full details here.

VERDUN — Italian restaurant Linda closed for good in recent weeks.

Seen any bankruptcy notices or papered-over windows in your neighbourhood? Tell us about it.

• Rent Hikes Are Pushing Out Iconic Mile End Café Le Cagibi [EMTL]
• Landlords With Gentrifier History Are Behind Le Cagibi’s Rent Hike [EMTL]
• Irish Embassy To Remain Closed For At Least 6 Months [EMTL]