Fray on Fraser restaurant closed due to "partnership dispute"

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      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”.

      Comments

      19 Comments

      DavidH

      Mar 18, 2013 at 11:27am

      This should work nicely in the audition for "Kitchen Nightmares".

      Irritated

      Mar 18, 2013 at 3:36pm

      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.

      Mike

      Mar 20, 2013 at 3:09pm

      Fray's website says it was Polanski who did the dirty deal. So sad.

      $author

      Mar 20, 2013 at 4:51pm

      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.

      Mt Pleasant Resident

      Mar 20, 2013 at 4:58pm

      A vegetarian restaurant is exactly what the neighborhood needs. Finally, Vancouver is embracing healthy, compassionate and smaller eco-footprint dining!

      Graze

      Mar 20, 2013 at 6:04pm

      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.

      From the hood

      Mar 20, 2013 at 8:27pm

      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.

      Local at fray

      Mar 20, 2013 at 8:38pm

      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.

      something smells fishy... and its not the menu

      Mar 20, 2013 at 9:01pm

      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

      Hungry!

      Mar 20, 2013 at 10:10pm

      Who cares! Looking forward to the new restaurant. Sounds like they have a good plan.