The operations director of Ferreira Café, a restaurant on Peel Street in Montreal, made a heartfelt cry Friday evening when prevention officers from the Montreal Fire Department came to force her to close her packed terrace in the middle of Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend.
• Read also: F1 weekend: city center restaurants closed for violating fire safety in full festivities
“I’m so basically cursed at the Montreal firefighters,” Sandra Ferreira said in a video shared on Instagram.
She explains that a dozen agents came to surround the terrace of her establishment in the evening.
“They wait until the Friday of the Grand Prix to come, when we have a full restaurant, and in front of everyone, they ask us to make people leave the terrace. It’s 9 p.m., we’re packed,” she laments.
However, Ms. Ferreira explains that she has done everything to ensure that her terrace is compliant for the summer season.
“We have been working for months to try to have terraces, to try to have a Grand Prix on Peel Street,” she maintains.
After numerous steps with the City, the restaurant obtained permission to build its terrace.
“It was months of relentlessness, of tireless work” to obtain the permit, mentions Sandra Ferreira.
When the Fire Safety Service agents arrived at her restaurant, the operations director of the Ferreira Café tried to argue that the establishment had special permission for its terrace.
“They didn’t want to know anything,” says Ms. Ferreira.
Beyond the decision to force the closure of its terrace, the latter protests against the moment chosen to intervene.
“I find it cruel to have waited two or three weeks […] to come and close it for us while the restaurant is full,” says Sandra Ferreira.
The latter, who claims to be usually in full control of her emotions, could not help but burst into tears in front of her clients on Friday evening.
It was in this emotional state that she recorded her video, while her employees were busy charging customers who had to leave the terrace prematurely.
“I am ashamed”
Sandra Ferreira also denounces the state of downtown Montreal while the largest annual tourist event in the metropolis is taking place.
“This weekend, I am ashamed. I am ashamed for my city, I am ashamed that this is happening in front of our customers,” proclaims the restaurateur.
“I walk around Place Ville-Marie and I say to myself: Dar***! It’s good milk here. So let’s see that this is Montreal!” she adds.
She argues that several restaurant and bar owners have increased efforts and expenses in recent months to bring atmosphere to the city center.
Screenshot Instagram/MissFerreira
She is outraged that several terraces must be closed for safety reasons while portions of Sainte-Catherine are not accessible to firefighters due to the work.
“How are we dangerous?” asks Ms. Ferreira.
“I’m so angry! It doesn’t look good! So we really don’t have a vision for our city!” she says.
To see the full explanations, watch the video above.
