The company behind one of Toronto’s most well-known celebrity chefs, Mark McEwan, has filed for credit protection after the COVID-19 pandemic brought on a “liquidity crisis” throughout his Toronto restaurants, catering company, and gourmet grocery store, BNN reports.
McEwan Enterprises Inc. filed for Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) at the end of September. The company currently owns six restaurants in Toronto, including Fabbrica, One, Bymark, and Diwan, as well as a grocery chain, McEwan Fine Foods.
Throughout the course of the pandemic, McEwan was vocal on social media about the lengthy pandemic-related shutdowns that forced restaurants across the city to curb indoor dining.
Who else in the restaurant industry is MAD AS HELL??!! put your big boy pants on DOUG FORD
— Mark McEwan (@Chef_MarkMcEwan) May 20, 2021
Let’s see if Doug Ford has it in him to make the call…Open patios ASAP!! Until now he seems more concerned with his golf buddies. Make the call !! @Fordnation
— Mark McEwan (@Chef_MarkMcEwan) May 20, 2021
Great to see indoor dining returning on Friday!!!??@fordnation
— Mark McEwan (@Chef_MarkMcEwan) July 10, 2021
According to BNN, McEwan intends to re-purchase McEwan Enterprises Inc. under a new numbered company (2864785 Ontario Corp.). By doing so, he would retain a staff of 268 employees “while reducing lease obligations with fewer grocery and restaurant locations.”