Downtown Hamilton Italian Eatery Caro Closes After Five Years

Caro, a popular downtown Hamilton Italian eatery and late-night hotspot, has closed its doors after five years in business. The restaurant, located on James Street North, held its final service earlier this month, leaving around 10 employees without jobs. Caro's owner, Cory Tower, cited rising food and operations costs, COVID-era loans, rent increases, and a decline in customers and sales as the factors contributing to the closure.

Key Takeaways:

• The James Street North location of Caro opened in 2020, while the Ottawa location had been open since at least 2018.
• The restaurant had a basement speakeasy, My Father Was Famous, which opened in 2023, requiring a password to access late-night cocktails and drinks.
• Cory Tower, the owner, used his savings to help keep the spot afloat and ensure his staff were paid.
• The restaurant was served with a notice terminating its tenancy at 229 James St. N. in mid-October, owing $42,150.03 in rent arrears.
• Tower stated that the decline of the business "negatively impacted" other parts of his life, including personal relationships and his mental health.

Statistics:

• The restaurant was in operation for over five years, with the James Street North location opening in 2020.
• Around 10 employees were impacted by the closure, with both full-time and part-time staff affected.
• The rent for the roughly 4,000-square-foot space is around $10,500 per month, according to the online listing.
• The restaurant owed $42,150.03 in rent arrears to building owner Sealink Properties Ltd.
• The business saw a drop in customers over the last three years, as local diners saw a "large decline" in their disposable income.

Sources:

• Tower, Cory, owner of Caro
• "Letter Termination of Tenancy" from McHugh Whitmore Law Firm, dated Oct. 17, 2023
• Online listing for 229 James St. N. property
• The Hamilton Spectator article "Caro, downtown Hamilton Italian eatery, closes after five years" by Fallon Hewitt, dated [insert date]