It has been a tough few months for the people behind Shaughnessy Restaurant in Vancouver, but the family who runs it can breathe a sigh of relief today.
Today was decision day, with Council voting on whether the Shaughnessy Restaurant would continue to operate the space at VanDusen Botanical Gardens, or if the lease for the establishment, which expires in January 2026, would be awarded to Truffle Fine Foods.
The vote was unanimously in favour of keeping Shaughnessy Restaurant in that space.
City of Vancouver
The situation began thanks to a recommendation to have Truffle Fine Foods take over the lease once it expired the following year. It forced Chris and Carlle Chatten, the father-daughter pair who run operations at Shaughnessy, to join the RFP process and submit a bid to remain as the operators.
Carlle and Chris had the opportunity to speak in front of Council.
You could hear the emotion in Carlle’s voice as she began her statement by mentioning that this year would be VanDusen Gardens’ 50th anniversary.
“For more than 25 years, Shaughnessy Restaurant has been a vital part of that story,” she said.
“Our continued success means sustained economic benefits for the City, and we are dedicated to keeping that momentum going.”
Chris followed her, emphasizing how Shaughnessy Restaurant has been designed to run in a unique way that aligns with the larger vision of VanDusen. He argued that Shaughnessy might be the busiest restaurant in Vancouver during the Festival of Lights in December.
He also condemned the RFP process.
“For 40 years, lease renewals were built on open collaborative dialogue. This RFP was different, a one-time submission with no opportunity for discussion,” he said.
“I’ve spent more than half my life at VanDusen. Shaughnessy is more than a restaurant. It’s a legacy built with care, hard work and a deep commitment to the garden and the community it serves,” Chris added.
What the City of Vancouver had to say
The reputational risk for the City was front and centre when councillors commented on the recommendation, and it was clear, based on those who spoke, that if Truffle Fine Foods did win the bid, public perception would not have been optimal. A petition that has over 5,000 signatures to keep the restaurant alive was also referenced.
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and every councillor who spoke on the matter were in vehement support of keeping the restaurant alive.
Sim thanked the bidders for all the hard work they do in the industry and called this RFP process a tough one.
“There is a risk of changing,” Sim said of the potential to switch operators and reflected on his experience working in the restaurant industry.
“We send a very terrible message to anyone who wants to do business with the City of Vancouver, if we say, after 40 years, something comes along which we may think is a little bit better, so we’re going to burn 40 years’ worth of relationship,” Sim added.
When we spoke to the Chattens, they told Daily Hive Urbanized that they were disappointed with the sporadic communication they received from City staff.
“I’m sorry you had to go through this,” Sim said.
“My vote against the recommendation is really a vote to honour the work and value the many hard decades of balancing bottom-line decisions for what it takes to be a successful restaurant in the city,” said councillor Rebecca Bligh. She also emphasized the importance of goodwill, legacy, and community in relation to the decision and her vote against the recommendation.
Following the decision, Carlle told Daily Hive Urbanized that her family is thrilled, emotional, excited and deeply grateful.
“This is an incredible day for our Shaughnessy Restaurant team and the community that surrounds us. We’re looking forward to moving into this next phase with optimism and renewed energy. Our hope is to sign a new lease as soon as possible, so we can continue doing what we love — serving our guests and contributing to this beautiful, historic space.”
She also had a message for the loyal patrons her establishment serves.
“Thank you. Your letters, your voices, and your unwavering support have made all the difference.”
- You might also like:
- City looks to replace long-running Vancouver restaurant for bigger financial return
- Last call? Fate of storied Vancouver restaurant hangs in the balance
- Hawksworth Restaurant Group to open new concept at The Boathouse Restaurant space at Kitsilano Beach
Want to stay on top of all things Vancouver? Follow us on X