A popular downtown Halifax restaurant forced to closed because of extensive damage from a massive fire in January reopened its doors yesterday.
But those expecting to find Café Chianti at its old location, think again.
After 21 years on the corner of South and Hollis streets, the restaurant reopened yesterday at its new location at 1241 Barrington St.
Owner Jan Wicha said the decision to move came down to the fact the owners of the South Street apartment building he rented his restaurant from still hadn’t made the necessary repairs for him to reopen following the fire.
“Basically we were forced to make a decision to find another spot,” Wicha said.
“We wanted to stay at the old location, but couldn’t wait any longer.”
Wicha said its new location will offer a similar menu from the old spot, and will see many of the same 25 staff members back.
“We’re hoping to attract an even younger clientele,” Wicha said. “It’s a more hip place.”
January blaze
The Jan. 12 blaze in the 130-year-old building left people living in 18 apartments homeless and the three restaurants below the units — including Café Chianti — closed indefinitely.
