Bert’s Restaurant closes tonight after 63 years in business

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – A long time fixture on South Main Street in Vancouver is shutting down today.

Customers at Bert’s Restaurant are disappointed to see it disappear. The diner has been around for 63 years, but no more.

Some say places like Bert’s provide character the city is losing.

“They add a bit of nostalgia, they add a little bit of comfort in terms of, you know they’re always there, you know what you can count on,” says Karen Hallam, who has been coming to Bert’s since she was a kid.

“You need this stuff, you need [places like] Bert’s to make [Canadians] individuals,” adds Jeff Macdonald who moved from New Brunswick six years ago and says Bert’s is one of his favourite Vancouver hangouts.

People are worried about the loss of independent restaurants.

“There are not enough family places in this city anymore, and that’s what this is,” says Helen Boufeas.
    
It’s a sentiment shared by Alex Dion, who went to Bert’s for the first time this weekend.

“To take that away for some bar or chain restaurant, that’s kind of unfortunate,” says Dion.

It’s believed the new owner will open a bar and grill.

Steve Nicol enjoyed his final plate of pancakes at Bert’s on Saturday.

“It’s sad because you know it’s kind of a legend here,” says Nicol.

Bert’s owner, Gerry DeKova, told News1130 earlier this week that rising property taxes, wages, and the HST were to blame for putting him out of business.

NDP politicians were also at Bert’s on Saturday to highlight their concerns over the Harmonized Sales Tax.

Vancouver Kingsway New Democrat MP Don Davies says the restaurant survived many economic challenges, but the HST was too much.

“It’s experienced recessions, stagflation, inflation all kinds of tax policy, but finally it could not withstand one of the worst public policy decisions in decades and that is introduction of the HST,” says Davies.

Bert’s closes its doors for the last time tonight at 9 p.m.