Thanks to some DIY spirit, the 1,000 square foot space that once housed
Johny Banana on Bathurst just north of Queen has been transformed into 416snackbar for about $50,000.
The 1,000 square foot space (plus basement) needed new wiring, and got some new floors, purpose-built tables, new lights and a new bar.
Dave Stewart and Adrian Ravinsky took over the lease on Sept. 15, and after some wrangling over a liquor license, began work in October. The restaurant,
named for Ravinsky's blog, opened Jan. 24.
The pair not only did the work themselves, the financing was DIY as well. Each partner invested $15,000, which was added to an $18,000 line of credit, and a couple of credit cards.
"We were lucky to inherit the bones of a kitchen," Stewart says. "It probably would have been another $25,000 in expenses if it hadn't already been a restaurant."
Though it's been open for business more almost two months, work is continuing, including the installation of a prep kitchen in the basement.
Writer: Bert Archer
Source: Dave Stewart
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