{"id":15304,"date":"2025-02-06T15:35:37","date_gmt":"2025-02-06T15:35:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/torontotribune.ca\/index.php\/2025\/02\/06\/simply-not-viable-iconic-restaurant-closes-as-businesses-struggle-in-uptown-saint-john-new-brunswick\/"},"modified":"2025-02-06T15:35:37","modified_gmt":"2025-02-06T15:35:37","slug":"simply-not-viable-iconic-restaurant-closes-as-businesses-struggle-in-uptown-saint-john-new-brunswick","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/torontotribune.ca\/index.php\/2025\/02\/06\/simply-not-viable-iconic-restaurant-closes-as-businesses-struggle-in-uptown-saint-john-new-brunswick\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Simply not viable\u2019: Iconic restaurant closes as businesses struggle in uptown Saint John – New Brunswick"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Uptown Saint John, N.B., businesses have had to deal with many struggles recently: street closures due to construction, tough economic times and decreased foot traffic.<\/p>\n

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And it\u2019s pushed a long-standing restaurant to close its doors.<\/p>\n

Billy Grant, the owner of Billy\u2019s Seafood, announced this week that the restaurant is shutting down after more than 30 years in business, saying he was doing so with \u201cheavy hearts.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWith major personal sacrifices, hard work, and our dedicated staff, our restaurant managed\u00a0 to weather major Market renovations, the loss of patio revenue due to the demolition and construction at 97 King, and the pandemic,\u201d he wrote in a letter on Facebook.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have now realized that the business is simply not viable and must close effective immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n

Grant declined to speak with Global News.<\/p>\n

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But faithful patrons and community members who have fond memories of the restaurant are speaking out about the loss.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt is definitely a tragic loss for the community of Saint John. Billy\u2019s was a very well-respected, well-known restaurant in the area, a lot of memories,\u201d Benjamin Bow said.<\/p>\n

Gloria Halvorsen said the restaurant was a beloved tourist spot where cruise ship passengers often visited.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a great little gathering spot, great spot just for a nice meal. You see the cruise ships come in just flocking to the place \u2014 it\u2019s definitely going to be missed,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n