We missed that one - restaurant we referred to as great bit the dust. Pity.

News 100 blueBy Staff

March 28, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

We goofed.

A number of people wrote to tell us that both Test Kitchen locations have been closed for a number of months:  Clearly we don’t get out as much as we’d like.  We apologize for the incorrect information – which doesn’t take away from the fact that it was the place to be.  Something was seriously wrong with the business model – but the mood and the food were both great.  Let’s give them credit for giving it at go.

Hotel on lower Brant Street

Were things on Brant Street ever really vibrant?

One reader commented: “That you used Test Kitchen as an example of success for the downtown is telling: Test Kitchen is out of business for both its Burlington locations. There does not seem to be a comprehensive plan to qualify, attract, and retain businesses that build an “environment” that makes downtown Burlington distinctive. At times, it seems that the city and major event planners are actively hostile towards the downtown business community.

A recent example was the Chilly Half Marathon where a McDonald’s truck was sampling free coffee in the downtown core. I am sure that Coffee Culture, The Village Perk (now out of business) Lakeshore Coffee House, and Tamp Coffee were happy that a corporate behemoth was given the exposure.

Maybe it is foreshadowing who is taking over the Second Cup location? Perhaps Burlington can take a lesson from the BIA of Corning, NY. Not a Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts or McDonalds within the boundary of the core.

While the rest of the town is struggling the downtown is truly “vibrant.” An inverse of what is seems to be happening here.

And just what is happening here?  We will see what we can learn.

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