Loyal Customer Starts Fundraising Campaign For Bedford Restaurant Destroyed By Fire
HALIFAX – Alice Clark had been a regular at Sydelle’s Fish and Chips since it opened a decade ago. She got hooked by the fresh-tasting fish and friendly service provided by the owner, David Nicholson.
“I love the restaurant. I would go as often as I could-sometimes too often,” said Clark.
“He took pride in his product. That’s always impressed me.”
The Lower Sackville resident recalls how Nicholson always thought Clark ordered too little and would throw in a little bit more fish at no extra charge.
“Sometimes I’d buy a two-piece and that would do me for two meals,” said Clark.
When Clark learned that her favourite Bedford Restaurant was destroyed in a fire on August 11, she was heartbroken. It also upset her, while reading a previous article on the fire, to learn that Nicholson wasn’t comfortable asking for charity from the community.
“I almost cried because I know how much the place means to him, and how much it means to me, and I was heartbroken for him,” said Clark.
“You do so much for your customers and there are so many people who would love to help you.”
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Officials have deemed the fire as suspicious but haven’t made an official ruling yet. Nicholson has gone on record to say he firmly believes the fire was intentionally set.
Clark reached out to Nicholson to get his permission to set up a gofundme campaign to help the business owner get back to his feet. Nicholson was leasing the building for Sydelle’s and told Huddle previously that he had no insurance for the business.
The loyal customer realizes that the pandemic has made budgets tight for people, but she hopes people will donate what they can.
“I realize that right now is such a hard time for everyone with everything that we’ve been through in the last five months,” said Clark. “People who may want to contribute, just don’t have the ability to.”
So far, the campaign has raised $2,300 of its $25,000 goal.
Nicholson has been overwhelmed with hundreds of messages of support from the community since the fire. When Clark reached out with her idea, it reminded Nicholson of the great customer base he built up over 10 years.
“She knew a fair bit about me, for just being a customer, which shows what kind of customers I have at Sydelle’s,” said Nicholson. “They’re like family; at four o’clock on Friday, I can tell you who’s going to be there.”
One customer even reached out to offer a building Nicholson could lease for a new restaurant, although it would have to be remodeled to suitable for a restaurant. Even if such offers don’t pan out, Nicholson says it helps him emotionally during these difficult times.
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