Downtown Chickenburger to be demolished
Restaurant coming down to make way for new development
CBC News
Posted: Nov 23, 2012 6:01 PM AT
Last Updated: Nov 23, 2012 5:57 PM AT
The Queen Street Chickenburger is being torn down in the coming weeks. (CBC)
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Renovations on the Queen Street Chickenburger outlet just finished in August, but the building is now slated to come down.
"Chickenburger has been a hit, and now is a good time – after the summer season – to tear it down," said Mickey MacDonald, who owns the business. The outlet has only been open about eight months.
He said the restaurant will close next week, and demolition will begin soon after.
Mickey MacDonald says he wants to develop the area in advance of the ship building contracts. (CBC)"I'm pushing the envelope here. I want to get going as quick as I can."
The Chickenburger is coming down to make way for a new development on the busy block. MacDonald was vague on details but he said his new complex will cover land he owns between Spring Garden Road, Queen Street and Birmingham Street. That includes the building that houses the iconic Halifax department store Mills Brothers.
"I think we can make some really nice buildings there – marquee – right in the centre of Halifax. I think Halifax deserves those kind of buildings and regeneration."
MacDonald said he was approached by several developers to move ahead with his plans. He said he wants to be ready for when the shipbuilding contracts begin, and he expects the city will experience a boom.
"That has been the corner of Halifax for the 100 years, and it will be for the next couple hundred years."
Staff to be moved
MacDonald said the 24 employees at the Queen Street Chickenburger have been offered jobs at the other locations – the flagship restaurant in Bedford, as well as outlets in the airport and Dalhousie University campus.
He promises to reopen a downtown franchise of the popular chain as soon as the new development is complete.
MacDonald hopes to break ground on his new development in the spring.
"I'm going for it."
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