Lucy's | Victoria | Fernwood neighbourhood | Closed in 2010

[osmich]

Looks like there is a new place in Fernwood called Lucy's in the Square. They will be complimenting Stage easily as I have heard that Jeff Keenslide (aka Marina Restaurant) is involved.

If the Cook Street Village would only wisen up and get some decent places down there. The owner of Castana, who let Subway in obviously has his priorities wrong. He only cared about the rent and put a subway next to an upscale Pizza Place, I mean c'mon. Cook Street Village needs restaurants like Fernwood has now. I don't think that Subway will last in the village quite frankly. There was a flea market last weekend in front and inside of the old dry cleaners there. Surely someone has the vision to get some decent restaurants in that, so called, food court debacle.

[jklymak]

I saw that place the other day and wondered about it. I hope it is good and that it does well. Stages and the Inn were both hopping Friday night. Now if only Fernwood had a grocery store....

[Mike K.]

The owner of Castana, who let Subway in obviously has his priorities wrong. He only cared about the rent and put a subway next to an upscale Pizza Place, I mean c'mon. Cook Street Village needs restaurants like Fernwood has now. I don't think that Subway will last in the village quite frankly. There was a flea market last weekend in front and inside of the old dry cleaners there. Surely someone has the vision to get some decent restaurants in that, so called, food court debacle.

He didn't put it there. Subway approached him and was willing to pay the desired rent. Besides, I don't know how upscale of a restaurant you could fit into that tiny space.

[goke]

Originally Posted by jklymak

I saw that place the other day and wondered about it. I hope it is good and that it does well. Stages and the Inn were both hopping Friday night. Now if only Fernwood had a grocery store....

I always considered Wellburns Fernwoods grocery store. is there any space right in the Fernwood core for a grocery outlet?

[Caramia]

There is also that mom and pop corner grocery just east of the Fernwood Inn.

[hotdoglegz]

I had brunch at Lucy's on Sunday. It was brilliant

[osmich]

Originally Posted by Mike K.

He didn't put it there. Subway approached him and was willing to pay the desired rent. Besides, I don't know how upscale of a restaurant you could fit into that tiny space.

I didn't say he put it there. I said,"the owner of Castana, who let Subway in." Meaning that Subway obviously had to contact the owner in order to ask if he would even consider it. Castana owner obviously does not care about the Cook Street Village and clearly did not envision very well at all. My opinion.

[Mike K.]

Originally Posted by osmich

I didn't say he put it there. I said,"the owner of Castana, who let Subway in." Meaning that Subway obviously had to contact the owner in order to ask if he would even consider it. Castana owner obviously does not care about the Cook Street Village and clearly did not envision very well at all. My opinion.

What you're saying is the landlord has purposefully done a disservice to the community by leasing to this tenant. Subway is a standard operation in many community commercial areas and I just can't see how it devalues CSV in any way.

Anyhow, I suppose we've gotten off track here.

[osmich]

Originally Posted by Mike K.

What you're saying is the landlord has purposefully done a disservice to the community by leasing to this tenant. Subway is a standard operation in many community commercial areas and I just can't see how it devalues CSV in any way.

Anyhow, I suppose we've gotten off track here.

Let's start a new thread on how a Subway can be an eyesore to a nice little village like Cook Street. It would be like a McDonalds coming to the Village or to Salt Spring Island. It would be like a Subway next to Swan's Hotel when Michael Williams was alive (or dead.) What does it say about the creativity of the people who actually like it?

That's twice on this thread that you have put words into my mouth. Did I actually say that he has done a disservice to the community?

[osmich]

Now......back to Lucy's on the Square

[VicHockeyFan]

Originally Posted by osmich

I didn't say he put it there. I said,"the owner of Castana, who let Subway in." Meaning that Subway obviously had to contact the owner in order to ask if he would even consider it. Castana owner obviously does not care about the Cook Street Village and clearly did not envision very well at all. My opinion.

Wow, if peeps like Tim Hortens or Subway, so be it.

[hotdoglegz]

did I mention how good Lucy's was? I'm excited about next weekend. Saturday brunch upstairs at Ferris' and then Sunday at Lucy's

[Bob Fugger]

So Lucy's in the Square can be added to the "Closed, defunct, old restaurants you knew and loved" list. Rumour has it that it was barely surviving and that HST and the .05 alcohol laws did it in. I also heard that these factors, plus the daily grind was a strain on the owners' personal relationship.

Also rumoured is that Lucy's chef (Jeff Keenliside, previously of OBMG executive chef fame) plans to go back to his roots and start running the show at Maude Hunter's Pub, where he first apprenticed. That is exactly what Maude's . I used to love the food there - and as a competitor, I will leave it at that.

Finally, there is talk that a sushi restaurant is looking at taking over the space. We shall see.

[JETT]

We dined there a number of times and really enjoyed ourselves. Loved the 'hole in the wall' ambience and the food was excellent. Service was great too.
There was even a table that was available for people to share if you showed up solo and didn't wish to take up a whole table by your lonesome. Really sad to see it go, it offered something that the Fernwood or Stages couldn't. It's definitely a big loss for the Fernwood community vibe.

[Pam]

I just recommended this place to someone this afternoon.

I had no idea they were closed. Damn it. Lucy's was a stellar example of what dining in this city should be about --excellent food, excellent service, friendly non pretentious vibe. It's a huge loss. I hope that they are able to open another spot somewhere. Good luck to Jeff, Lucy and their team. I hope they will post here and let us know where they are and how they are.

[Matt R.]

Jeff started his apprenticeship at the Aerie, another defunct business. His first kitchen gig was at Christie's Carriage House.

Having worked for Jeff for about 6 years, I am pretty sure he's doing well at Maude's and the business, staff and most importantly the guests will clearly benefit from his leadership. I miss working for him almost every day.

I too have heard the sushi place rumour, and know who is planning on getting in there. We'll all find out soon enough!

Matt.

[Bob Fugger]

Originally Posted by Matt R.

Jeff started his apprenticeship at the Aerie, another defunct business. His first kitchen gig was at Christie's Carriage House.

Having worked for Jeff for about 6 years, I am pretty sure he's doing well at Maude's and the business, staff and most importantly the guests will clearly benefit from his leadership. I miss working for him almost every day.

I too have heard the sushi place rumour, and know who is planning on getting in there. We'll all find out soon enough!

Matt.

I can confirm that Jeff is indeed back at Maude's and that an asian restaurant has opened in Lucy's old spot. Haven't tried it out, but rumour is that it's kind of pedestrian: beef teriyaki and beef chow mein type fare. Will try to confirm in near future.

[Mike K.]

Ok, so we'll list Lucy's as closed in 2010. Thanks for the update.