A family-owned business that’s been a fixture of the dining scene in Wellington West for five decades has put its space on the market.
A listing posted by real estate brokerage Marcus & Millichap on Thursday says a “fully fixtured restaurant” at 1365 Wellington St. W. is available for lease “immediately.”
The site, which includes 1,087 square feet of ground-floor space and 1,225 square feet of space on the lower level, is the home of John’s Family Diner.
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Established in 1974 by John Hatoum, the eatery was originally located a few blocks east of its current site. The old-school diner has become a neighbourhood staple best-known for serving comfort food such as its signature burgers and club sandwiches as well as shawarmas and other items.
After Hatoum retired in 2011, his sons Peter and Tony took over the business. The restaurant’s website says the two brothers “are both planning on continuing the legacy started by their father and serving their friends, customers and community for many years to come.”
Peter Hatoum told OBJ Thursday the family is “looking at different options” for the business it has operated for decades and didn’t rule out remaining at the current location.
“Anything is possible,” he said. “If something appropriate comes our way, we will be leasing our space.”
The move comes as the restaurant industry tries to rebound after being hit hard during the pandemic. Rising rents and food costs have taken their toll on many establishments in an industry where margins were already razor-thin, and inflation has eaten into consumers’ discretionary income.
In a Restaurants Canada survey earlier this year, 62 per cent of respondents said they were operating at a loss or barely breaking even, up from 10 per cent before the pandemic, while bankruptcies rose 44 per cent in 2023 from the previous year.
Several well-known Ottawa restaurants have shut their doors in 2024, including the Courtyard Restaurant in the ByWard Market, Fraser restaurant in New Edinburgh and the Mandarin Ogilvie in the east end.
However, Peter Hatoum said “business is fine” at his establishment. He said there were a “number of reasons” for putting the building up for lease but didn’t elaborate.
“We’re still here,” he added.
