Ben's Deli

kingearl: 14th Apr 2008 - 17:40 GMT

I understand the dirt under Ben's is worth more than the business but it is still sad R.I.P.I was there on Apr. 10 and took some pictures I am from Kingston.

Peter: 14th Apr 2008 - 18:17 GMT

great post! i added all these images to the Bens De Luxe Delicatessen & Restaurant wiki page, and listed you as author. though it didnt seem to be able to find you as an author for a proper link, per se (no userpage under your name), i did put your registered username on them as author. anyway, i did the grunt work. feel free to edit the permissions/authorships as necessary :)

you should be able to edit them at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Bens1.jpg
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Bens2.jpg
etc, through
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Bens8.jpg

EvilGentleman: 14th Apr 2008 - 19:10 GMT

Thanks, Peter. I have never uploaded to wiki before, just edited some text. I'm still a noob in some areas.

Mitch: 14th Apr 2008 - 22:45 GMT

That demolition notice is certainly new (been keeping a close eye on the fate of Ben's for months now). Maybe I'm translating it wrong, but it sounds like if no person(s) contest the permit 10 days after it was posted, SIDev is legally free to go ahead and demolish the building anytime on or after April 15th--that's tomorrow actually!

Are they actually going to demolish it this week? Tomorrow even?

EvilGentleman: 14th Apr 2008 - 22:50 GMT

No clue, but I want to be there with my camera if they do, sad though it will be.

Mitch: 15th Apr 2008 - 01:25 GMT

Knowing companies like SIDev, they won't waste any time getting a wrecking ball out there. They'll want to tear it down before anyone changes their mind! (legally that notice says they can start tomorrow...assuming no one challenged the permit).

I'd definitely watch closely all this week and stand by with the camera. Funny, tomorrow (April 15th) is the anniversary of the Titanic sinking...that'd be a bit of irony there, especially since Ben's is almost the same age!

Mitch: 23rd Apr 2008 - 01:50 GMT

Passed by Bens today, as of April 22nd it's still standing as it's always been...no sign of any demolition yet. In fact someone removed the brown papers covering the inside windows and ripped off one of the demolition notices (probably just some kids).

Inside it's a mess. There's puddles of water on the floors, many ceiling tiles have fallen off and the paint is peeling in big strips. No surprise, they didn't heat or maintain it all winter, I remember seeing the bay windows completely frosted up back in January. I'd be worried about the memorabilia (framed photos, vintage signs, wall menus) still sitting on the floor with water everywhere.

I'd still watch it over the next few weeks...

Mitch: 7th May 2008 - 00:31 GMT

Just an FYI: Ben's is safe for at least another 2 weeks, there was a newspaper article saying the public has until May 21st to fight the demolition decision. If no one challenges it (or does but fails to make a good case) I'd expect the building leveled sometime before the end of the month...

Incidentally, just noticed in the above photos: The floors are not normally reflective and shiny as you see them, that is WATER pooled on the floors! Looks like a small flood happened from water leaking from the above floors/ceilings. If it is saved, the place is going to need some renovations and repairs, that's for sure.

EvilGentleman: 7th May 2008 - 14:49 GMT

Thanks, Mitch. You just saved me about 50 bucks worth of gas. I have been going downtown more often lately, specifically to check on the current status of Ben's.

EvilGentleman: 13th May 2008 - 07:03 GMT

As of yesterday, Ben's was still unchanged. All the chairs are still stacked up by the window, and the signs are still there.

Mitch: 13th May 2008 - 09:37 GMT

I pass directly by Ben's everyday (I work in the Sunlife building just a block up). If I see any changes, I'll definitely post a message here or on the Wikipedia article I started...actually passing by Ben's almost everyday inspired me to write about it. :) (originally it was just a blurb about the labour dispute).

I peaked in the window tonight, more ceiling tiles fell inside the front entrance, and more peeling strips of paint and wallpaper. The floor looks pretty grimy now, and all the lights are kept off (they used to keep it lit up at night). It almost looks like an abandoned building...

Tim: 26th May 2008 - 23:47 GMT

We used to eat there after school, the late shift at McGill we would love there smoked meat and man O man was it Good.
It's sad to see it die like it is.........R.I.P Ben's

Mitch: 31st May 2008 - 05:30 GMT

Well, the May 21st deadline passed and Still nothing at all has changed at Bens--still standing and untouched. Haven't heard anything on the news either about its fate.

I think Hydro Quebec disconnected its power a few weeks back, the place has been completely dark every night. It's pretty much abandoned at this point, save for the bordering up windows. I'm surprised no urban explorations have sneaked in to take a few photos.

I'm still watching, will post an update if anything happens...

CE: 5th Jun 2008 - 12:59 GMT

The city has approved the demolition as of last night.

www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2008/06/04/qc-bensrestaurant0504.html

Goldentone1: June 2008 -11:06 GMT: 7th Jun 2008 - 03:06 GMT

A real landmark will be gone forever. In the fifties and sixties it was a magnet for entertainers - local and international - I remember the late night sandwiches and fries so clearly. I hope the city can find a place to preserve the memories of those days.

Mitch: 7th Jun 2008 - 03:24 GMT

Pretty sad, it's quite literally a piece of Montreal being erased forever (I can't even visualize that part of downtown without that tiny 3 story building with the red "Bens" sign). I last passed by yesterday afternoon (June 5th), didn't see any signs of demolition yet.

What date it set to be torn down? Some last pictures should be taken, as well as it being torn ...

Mitch: 12th Jun 2008 - 19:58 GMT

Been very quiet since the June 3rd ruling to knock it down. Ben's is still unchanged, no one has even collected the memorabilia stacked up inside.

Any news on what's happening, or when the demolition is going to start?

EvilGentleman: 13th Jun 2008 - 02:09 GMT

No news here either, Mitch. Actually, at this point, you are my main source of news about Ben's.

Amanda: 22nd Jun 2008 - 03:33 GMT

Unbelievable! Someone needs to break in and rescue all the memorabilia and old treasures (if they're not already ruined by mold...)

So sad!

Mitch: 3rd Jul 2008 - 02:35 GMT

We're now a month past the demolition ruling, still absolutely *nothing* happening at the site. The only new thing to report are large billboards that went up in the parking lot besides Ben's, with an artist's conception of the new 28 story building that will eventually take the place of Ben's.

Found it online, including ideas of what the corner of De Maisonneuve and Metcalfe will look like (pretty ugly looking building if you ask me!).
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=153491