Fray on Fraser restaurant closed due to "partnership dispute"

by Michelle da Silva on Mar 18, 2013 at 10:37 am
Fray restaurant was a popular family-friendly hangout and eatery on Fraser Street.

A popular East Vancouver eatery unexpectedly closed over the weekend. Fray restaurant (3980 Fraser Street)—often referred to as Fray on Fraser—announced its closure over Twitter on March 17.

On the restaurant’s website, co-owners Kyle Polanski and Chris Parry state that the nearly two-year-old family-friendly hangout has ceased operations due to a partnership dispute.

“The place was full, profitable, and much loved by Fraser Street, but unfortunately a minority shareholder recently signed a contract to sell the business, against the instructions of the majority of investors. Now we’re in a situation where we either have to sell at a loss or face a lawsuit from the buyer, who wishes to close it and turn it into a vegan restaurant, if we don’t,” reads a statement on the Fray website.

Polanski and Parry stated that they cannot provide further details until “the lawyers do their thing”.

You can follow Michelle da Silva on Twitter at twitter.com/michdas.

Comments (19) Add New Comment
DavidH
Mar 18, 2013 at 11:27 am
This should work nicely in the audition for "Kitchen Nightmares".
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Irritated
Mar 18, 2013 at 3:36 pm
I hope the minority share holder who sold is ruined financially. The Fray was a lot of fun and it's a shame it had to go. I have no interest in another Vegan establishment with unimpressive overpriced nachos and salads.
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Mike
Mar 20, 2013 at 3:09 pm
Fray's website says it was Polanski who did the dirty deal. So sad.
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$author
Mar 20, 2013 at 4:51 pm
I am an insider to this situation and know that no one pulled a dirty deal on other shareholders - the place was for sale for over 6 months! All shareholders were on board to sell as the place was bleedimg money for its entire existence until these past 2 months. The only dirty deal was a shareholder (Parry) trying to get out of the contract to sell because sales picked up recently... and using the lame excuse that Polanski wasn't authorized to sell. He clearly was or the sale would not have gone through, and it seems he has acted in a very professional manner throughout.
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Mt Pleasant Resident
Mar 20, 2013 at 4:58 pm
A vegetarian restaurant is exactly what the neighborhood needs. Finally, Vancouver is embracing healthy, compassionate and smaller eco-footprint dining!
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Graze
Mar 20, 2013 at 6:04 pm
The new vegetarian restaurant will retain that neighbourhood feel and serve foodie-inspired twists on familiar and comforting, hardy meals... and an eclectic cocktail menu in our newly renovated lounge and bar. We can't wait to tell you more! Watch for the opening of 'Graze Kitchen and Bar' early in May. Former Fray patrons are warmly welcomed to give us a try.
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From the hood
Mar 20, 2013 at 8:27 pm
While I'm sad that the Fray is closing, I'm not sure to what end the airing of so much internal conflict serves in terms of garnering support.

I hope they can sort out their affairs and ideally stay in the hood even if at another location... they did bring something new and fun to the 'hood.

What I don't appreciate as someone who has lived in the area for over 7 years, and prefers my food a little less meaty, is the implied hostility toward the new place. I hope good things for the outgoing folks and for the incoming folks.
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Local at fray
Mar 20, 2013 at 8:38 pm
This community needs fray to stay open badly! Cant believe mr polanski would do such a thing.
No offense to the vegan place opening up but you wont have my business as well as the rest of this communities busniess. Not impressed.
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something smells fishy... and its not the menu
Mar 20, 2013 at 9:01 pm
I find it rather interesting that this whole "breaking news" story appears to be very one sided.... Perry (who I might add works for Pacific Press) appears to be using his media contacts to slander ex partner who still has yet to respond to personal attacks on his character... Anyone with any business acumen knows that the sale couldn't have proceeded with out majority vote and it feels to me that Perry may now be having seller's remorse. Let the lawyers figure it "do their thing" sounds like the only sensible and truthful thing written on Fray's most recent web post... from what I have heard Perry should heed his own advise and quit slamming people via the internet since it sounds as though his cheese is currently in the process of sliding off his cracker if you know what I mean.... just saying, karma is a B@#%H
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Hungry!
Mar 20, 2013 at 10:10 pm
Who cares! Looking forward to the new restaurant. Sounds like they have a good plan.
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Parry
Mar 21, 2013 at 3:20 am
Polanski, I know it's you writing all of these things and all of the other readers do too. Just call me and we can talk it out at my place over a Triple Threat burger while watching some He-Man. I miss you.
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Fray Regular
Mar 21, 2013 at 9:18 am
There's certainly 2 sides to this story, I've seen the ads posted for the sale of this place a while back. That said, I'm inclined to give Parry the benefit of the doubt, given some timing details and the fact that he has treated his customers very well, seem like a good guy. I know, not much to go on :p Anyway, I don't see the point of a vegatarian or vegan place there, there's already one pretty close by. Fray hit the nail on the head by appealing to a very wide, casual section, of people, to non-drinkers and non- drinkers, parents and singles, young and old, to a variety of diet preferences. I don't think a veg/tightly focused place will do that, and I won't be going there unless I see otherwise.
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Stephen Hui
Mar 21, 2013 at 9:43 am
@Graze:

Can you send me an email? I'd like to hear about your plans.

http://www.straight.com/users/stephen-hui
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Too bad
Mar 22, 2013 at 1:34 pm
It's too bad when partners of any kind can't behave maturely or kindly towards each other when things don't work out. I for one am not really interested in the drama of it all as this really should be dealt with privately between the partners and the buyer.

I am thrilled however to see Fraser Street growing and new businesses taking interest in this neighborhood. I was really happy when Fray opened and pleased with what it brought to the neighborhood. I am now equally thrilled to see another establishment opening up and have nothing but the best wishes for all parties involved. Looking forward to dining at the new restaurant and hope that everyone welcomes them with open arms. I want the neighborhood to thrive and anyone investing in this neighborhood is a friend.
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Tyler
Mar 22, 2013 at 3:07 pm
Can't wait to try out Graze when it opens!!!!!
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Annoyed
Mar 23, 2013 at 1:27 pm
I have purchased their Groupon deal and of course, now when I want to use it, they are closed. Thanks a lot.
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franenvan
Mar 27, 2013 at 6:08 pm
Really sorry that Fray has closed; loved that restaurant. They had fabulous food and a great vibe. It was my go-to restaurant in the hood. Hope it gets re-opened somewhere else with the same great food. Isn't there another vegan retaurant at Main/24th ? Fray was one-of-a-kind.
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down the street, around a couple corners
Apr 1, 2013 at 1:20 am
Internal conflicts aside, I was able to see that their profits had started to dwindle. I have no doubt that the poo-slinging done by either side is done to cover their butts. You can't sell as a "minority shareholder", so something is a little off! Most of the staff was great, shame to see them loose employment like they did.
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M&M
Apr 3, 2013 at 3:39 pm
I really enjoyed the Fray, but found that the food quality and/or preparation and the quantity served had been declining recently. Perhaps the vegan place will be able to maintain a consistent product.

As for the airing of public linen, grow up boys!
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