Nique owner points to alleged death threats, staffing shortage as reason behind closure
The owner of a downtown Hamilton restaurant refusing to enforce the provincial vaccination verification program says he's temporarily closed his doors due to staffing shortages.
He also claims he has received death threats.
In a text message to The Spectator on Friday afternoon, Nique owner Harrison Hennick said it was in his best interest" to close the restaurant, which is also facing a Ministry of Labour investigation.
Outside of the fact that there (are) a couple of staff that have resigned (for family reasons)," wrote Hennick, I need time to be with my wife and my daughter. Who are both, as well as myself, receiving death threats."
The Spectator visited Nique on Thursday and found a sign on the door announcing that the business was closed.
Sorry for any inconveniences," read the sign at the Vine Street establishment. We will be closing to take the week to assess the current situation at hand."
The sign told customers to follow the business on Instagram for any updates, noting they will be back soon." Hennick did not provide a timeline on when the restaurant is expected to reopen.
The temporary closure comes amid a Ministry of Labour investigation at the restaurant, spurred by a complaint earlier this week - although the closure is not related to the investigation, a ministry spokesperson confirmed Friday.
In an email to The Spectator, ministry spokesperson Shilpa Kotecha said the province received a complaint about Nique on Monday - the same day numerous media outlets, including The Spectator and CBC Hamilton, reported on the restaurant's refusal to ask patrons for proof of vaccination.
Hennick previously told The Spectator the business would not be enforcing the provincial vaccine verification program.
A Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development inspector has been assigned and our investigation is ongoing," wrote Kotecha in an email on Wednesday.
No further details were provided about the ministry's investigation on Friday. It remains unclear where the complaint came from, what it involved and if any orders have been issued against the restaurant.
In an email to The Spectator, city spokesperson Michelle Shantz said staff were also aware of the closure but the city was not involved."
Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com