Popular Halifax-Area Fish And Chips Place Will Reopen In New Location
HALIFAX – It’s been a hard year for business owners everywhere, but it’s been especially devastating for Bedford restaurant owner David Nicholson. After trying to just stay afloat financially during the pandemic, his popular fish & chip restaurant burned down in August.
The fire was ruled suspicious by the Halifax Regional Police. The file is still open, but the investigation is inactive say police. Nicholson has always believed arson was involved in the loss of his restaurant, although he doesn’t know why anyone would target him.
“We might have 400,000 people who live here, but it’s still a small community,” said Nicholson. “The fact that somebody, or some people, would do this to me is still (shocking).”
“I shelter my kids very much because I don’t want them to think that dad is at a workplace where a fire can just happen, and I certainly don’t want them to know that somebody targeted dad’s place and lit it on fire.”
To make matters worse, Nicholson, who was leasing the building, didn’t have any insurance for his business. But, after more than two months of searching, and hoping, for a spot to rebuild, Nicholson is almost ready to open the new Sydelle’s in Bedford. He signed a lease last week for his restaurant on the corner of Cobequid and Glendale Ave. He has promised to officially open on December 1.
“It’s a busy intersection. I’m going to do so much business there,” said Nicholson, his voice rising with excitement. “It’s going to be amazing.”
The new restaurant will be at a better location for customers, and the building will be bigger and better for restaurant operations, he says. And, this time, Nicholson will have his business completely covered by insurance.
“I’m building a whole new restaurant,” Nicholson said of his new 1,500 square-foot space. “All of my equipment’s going to be brand new, the décor is going to be brand new, it’s going to be the best Sydelle’s that anyone can ever imagine.”
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Nicholson knows this achievement may not have happened if it wasn’t for the outpouring of community support after the fire. A loyal customer started a Gofundme page, which raised nearly $3,000 for Nicholson and his family. Later, another friend and customer organize a golf tournament fundraiser. There was so much interest in the golf tournament that people had to be turned down for a spot on the course.
“It allowed me to still support my family while still looking for a new place,” said Nicholson.
“I’ve had so much support from people who I’ve never met, who I’m now friends with…and I’ll never be in the same situation that I was in before.”
Nicholson still has a lot of work to do before opening in December. He described the restaurant as a “shell” that still needs to undergo some renovations and have its kitchen equipment installed. He doesn’t want to describe what the new design will look like, explaining that he wishes to surprise his customers.
“I want to surprise people, but I can’t wait until people come and see. I was always in a place where I had the best food, but I was always in a run-down place,” said Nicholson.
He also has another surprise in store for customers. Nicholson is trained in the culinary arts and he plans to revamp the menu to show off his skills.
“While fish and chips will always be our staple, I’m also really excited and really exuberant about showing people a different side of Sydelle’s.”
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