Delicious Hamilton bakery closing their doors in wake of pandemic

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Published June 22, 2020 at 4:41 pm

A popular Hamilton eatery has announced that they will not be reopening their doors in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A popular Hamilton eatery has announced that they will not be reopening their doors in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

193 Bench Kitchen announced via social media over the weekend that due to the current uncertain climate, they would be closing up shop here in Hamilton.

“With these weird times, it’s also been a time for tough decisions,” the sandwich shop and bakery said in an Instagram post.

“In this climate, operating 2 separate locations is no longer feasible for us, and as such, we will not be reopening 193 Bench Kitchen.”

Their other, and original, location in Grimsby, 270 Bench Kitchen, will remain open.

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Hamilton – this has been a wild few months! When we opened 193 Bench Kitchen as a sister location to @270benchkitchen in Grimsby, we were so excited to expand into the thriving Hamilton culinary scene! It was a joy to be downtown, bringing our food to you. With these weird times, it’s also been a time for tough decisions. In this climate, operating 2 separate locations is no longer feasible for us, and as such, we will not be reopening 193 Bench Kitchen. We definitely plan to stick around the Hamilton area, through pop-ups and as vendors at events as much as we can! In the meantime, our Grimsby store, @270benchkitchen, is up and running for curbside pickup and we would love to see familiar #hamont faces there. Don’t be a stranger, and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for an amazing, even if short-lived, experience in Hamilton! Stay safe and be well

A post shared by 193benchkitchen (@193benchkitchen) on

While their Hamilton location won’t reopen in the coming days, the Bench team says they will still have a presence in the community at pop-ups and local events ‘as much as we can.’

193 Bench Kitchen opened their doors on King Street East in 2018 and has since become a favourite among Hamilton’s residents and foodies for their exquisite sandwiches and prepared meals, fresh salads and delectable baked goods.

They had also become active members of the International Village community, providing support and encouragement for their neighbours and fellow businesses.

Following Ontario’s declaration of a state of emergency in March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, 193 Bench continued to offer delivery and curbside pickup but, as many restaurants can now attest to, it isn’t a sustainable business model for most.

In 193 Bench Kitchen’s farewell notice to Hamilton, they encourage their customers to take a short drive to Grimsby to reconnect: “Don’t be a stranger, and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for an amazing, even if short-lived, experience in Hamilton! Stay safe and be well.”

Photo courtesy 193 Bench Kitchen’s Facebook page

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