The famous coffee and cookies at Le Gourmand (Image: Pema Hegan)
When the Le Gourmand at Yonge and Eglinton unexpectedly closed down in January, owner Milton Nunes remained optimistic, going so far as to speculate that the chain would be expanding in the near future. Now, with eviction notices posted at the Spadina-Richmond flagship, and the Yonge-Bloor food court locale closed, he’s telling us that the chain has gone out of business. “I was doing what I loved to do,” he says. “Sometimes you make a wrong move, and everything comes crashing down.”
It’s a surprising end to a chain that often experienced winding lineups for its immensely popular baked goods. Nunes didn’t get into specifics as to why the chain went under, but did mention that unfavorable lease agreements were part of the equation, and that despite the efforts of loyal staff, the demise of the Yonge and Eglinton location proved to be an insurmountable drain of resources. “We did everything possible, but it was just slipping right through our hands, and we just couldn’t keep it up, unfortunately.”
sounds like this guy could use some cash – someone a little more business minded should buy his recipes and run their own place.
June 14, 2010 at 5:20 pm | by adrienneThat’s terrible. Great food! Will be missed.
June 14, 2010 at 6:41 pm | by MatthewI have lived in the neighbourhood for nearly 5 years, and a le Gourmand coffee was the start to nearly every day.
I am truly distraught as I refuse to drink the swill from Starbucks & Second cup and don’t want to shell out 3$ for an Americano at Dark Horse, nor be given attitude at Spice Safar. Lettieri?? What am I to do.
PLLLLLEAASSE come back.
June 14, 2010 at 7:34 pm | by smAshdefinitely a loss when it comes to CDN operated coffee shops…but still they were pretty overpriced on their offerings…
June 14, 2010 at 8:02 pm | by FrancisWow..I could not believed it when I saw the yonge/eg out of business & eviction notice @ Spadina/richmond? Crazy! Loved the coffee,food & the bread pudding was awesome. Was quite overpriced in some offerings though but nevertheless, RIP.
June 15, 2010 at 9:15 am | by PeeYour comforting soup, lively sandwich and outstanding scones will be missed ;(
June 15, 2010 at 9:19 am | by foodie514why can this city not maintain support for establishments like this… beyond the food, great staff, great atmosphere, great reviews and line-ups out the door? then again.. maybe the question should be,,, how can you run a business with such potential into the ground?
June 15, 2010 at 11:12 am | by kdoogMilton abused his staff. Karma lives. Good riddance.
June 15, 2010 at 3:11 pm | by HamiltonUsed to go to the Y&B location for lunch or mid day coffee. Service always marginal. Mostly they didn’t care. Prices for lunch off the charts. If you are going to premium price it, then spare me the indifferent service from stoned / rude / too cool staff. Too bad. I hear the rent at YB was $12k/month. So probably unsustainable from the start.
June 15, 2010 at 5:36 pm | by bob loblawThe cookies were good. And I, too, am now forced to Starbucks it (yelch!) The food was pricey, but the coffee was cheaper and much better than Starbucks, Tim Hortons, Timothy’s, etc. I’ve heared whispers about bad business decisions being the main culprit for the demise, as the queues for the Bloor St store were always long. It’s a terrible shame this ended the way it did.
June 15, 2010 at 5:49 pm | by DTLiferServes him right!! It’s called paying your taxes Milton HAHAHAHAHA….and he did treat the staff horribly!! I’ll miss all those people thogh. :(
June 15, 2010 at 7:04 pm | by SurvivorOnly poor businessmen sign unfavourable leases. To blame the landlord is absurd. Nobody held a gun to his head forcing him to pay high rent.
June 15, 2010 at 9:03 pm | by JCSo sad. Best food this side of Victoria and Vancouver. Hope you can come back with a new business model. We’re waiting for you.
June 16, 2010 at 9:27 am | by bruceDown, but not out.
June 16, 2010 at 12:01 pm | by Am I rich yet?We await your resurfacing.
I checked out the Yonge-Eglinton location once and found it lacking choice, overpriced and unappealing.
June 17, 2010 at 9:17 am | by L.A. French