Caribbean Twist owner Lyndon Hibbert is collecting signatures of support. (CBC)A Halifax restaurant owner vows to fight the city over an order to shut down.

Municipal officials ordered the closure of Caribbean Twist because the building it's in is not zoned for food service.

Lyndon Hibbert said he never thought to check the zoning details when he opened the north-end restaurant just over a year ago — where a lunch spot operated for years.

For Hibbert, closing his family-owned restaurant on Gottingen Street isn't an option.

"I've worked too hard," he told CBC News. "I have loans from BBI. I've got loans from CEED. I've got loans from the bank. I'm not going to cut off my income then have to pay these loans back."

Customers are lining up to offer their support and sign a petition.

This restaurant at the corner of Gottingen and Kaye streets used to be a lunch spot. (CBC)"I think we need more ethnic restaurants in our city. This used to be a restaurant here when Toulany's was here," said George Grant.

"All you have to do is look out the window and across the street. There are at least 10 restaurants and cafes in the area, so it doesn't make sense," said Rick Joseph.

Merrie Mills said she would miss the taste of home.

"Especially on a sunny day like today," she said, "I just pretend I'm back home."

Hibbert has another month to try to convince the municipality that he should stay in business. The deadline to close was the end of July, but that was extended a month.

Hibbert said he'll lobby municipal officials to rescind the order.