Almost $5,000 has been raised to help an Alderwood restaurant which was forced to shut following a dispute with its landlord.

The family-owned Trius + Aim Restaurant, formerly at 270 Brown’s Line, was forced to shut on June 7 in what they claim stemmed from “unfair demands from their landlord due to the outcome of COVID-19.”

Betty Ansuh, who is helping the family to raise funds, alleged the landlord showed no remorse on how the pandemic negatively affected their business and locked the doors.

“This was an extremely emotional day for the owners, their workers, family, friends and the many customers and the neighbourhood,” Ansuh says.

The Fund Me Page has raised more than $4,600 from family and friends since going live on June 11.

The bistro, catering and events company was established by Daniel, and his wife, Irina, about two years ago.

“They both put a lot of hard work, sacrifice, struggle, passion and love into renovating, transforming and building this restaurant into what it is today,” she wrote. “The restaurant offered many delicious and healthy meals and a warm, fun and welcoming environment. “

Ansuh says the couple had used all their resources and labour to start the eatery, which had caught on with Alderwood residents.
“They were so passionate about creating this restaurant that they could call their own and could pass down to their children,” she says. “Their passion and love for what they were doing was so radiant that anybody that stepped foot inside this gem felt it.”

The family is looking for a new location and they plan to use the funds raised to help them save their business.

Donations can be made to www.gofundme.com