Ben's Deli

kingearl: 14th Apr 2008 - 17:40 GMT

I understand the dirt under Ben's is worth more than the business but it is still sad R.I.P.I was there on Apr. 10 and took some pictures I am from Kingston.

Peter: 14th Apr 2008 - 18:17 GMT

great post! i added all these images to the Bens De Luxe Delicatessen & Restaurant wiki page, and listed you as author. though it didnt seem to be able to find you as an author for a proper link, per se (no userpage under your name), i did put your registered username on them as author. anyway, i did the grunt work. feel free to edit the permissions/authorships as necessary :)

you should be able to edit them at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Bens1.jpg
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Bens2.jpg
etc, through
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Bens8.jpg

EvilGentleman: 14th Apr 2008 - 19:10 GMT

Thanks, Peter. I have never uploaded to wiki before, just edited some text. I'm still a noob in some areas.

Mitch: 14th Apr 2008 - 22:45 GMT

That demolition notice is certainly new (been keeping a close eye on the fate of Ben's for months now). Maybe I'm translating it wrong, but it sounds like if no person(s) contest the permit 10 days after it was posted, SIDev is legally free to go ahead and demolish the building anytime on or after April 15th--that's tomorrow actually!

Are they actually going to demolish it this week? Tomorrow even?

EvilGentleman: 14th Apr 2008 - 22:50 GMT

No clue, but I want to be there with my camera if they do, sad though it will be.

Mitch: 15th Apr 2008 - 01:25 GMT

Knowing companies like SIDev, they won't waste any time getting a wrecking ball out there. They'll want to tear it down before anyone changes their mind! (legally that notice says they can start tomorrow...assuming no one challenged the permit).

I'd definitely watch closely all this week and stand by with the camera. Funny, tomorrow (April 15th) is the anniversary of the Titanic sinking...that'd be a bit of irony there, especially since Ben's is almost the same age!

Mitch: 23rd Apr 2008 - 01:50 GMT

Passed by Bens today, as of April 22nd it's still standing as it's always been...no sign of any demolition yet. In fact someone removed the brown papers covering the inside windows and ripped off one of the demolition notices (probably just some kids).

Inside it's a mess. There's puddles of water on the floors, many ceiling tiles have fallen off and the paint is peeling in big strips. No surprise, they didn't heat or maintain it all winter, I remember seeing the bay windows completely frosted up back in January. I'd be worried about the memorabilia (framed photos, vintage signs, wall menus) still sitting on the floor with water everywhere.

I'd still watch it over the next few weeks...

Mitch: 7th May 2008 - 00:31 GMT

Just an FYI: Ben's is safe for at least another 2 weeks, there was a newspaper article saying the public has until May 21st to fight the demolition decision. If no one challenges it (or does but fails to make a good case) I'd expect the building leveled sometime before the end of the month...

Incidentally, just noticed in the above photos: The floors are not normally reflective and shiny as you see them, that is WATER pooled on the floors! Looks like a small flood happened from water leaking from the above floors/ceilings. If it is saved, the place is going to need some renovations and repairs, that's for sure.

EvilGentleman: 7th May 2008 - 14:49 GMT

Thanks, Mitch. You just saved me about 50 bucks worth of gas. I have been going downtown more often lately, specifically to check on the current status of Ben's.

EvilGentleman: 13th May 2008 - 07:03 GMT

As of yesterday, Ben's was still unchanged. All the chairs are still stacked up by the window, and the signs are still there.

Mitch: 13th May 2008 - 09:37 GMT

I pass directly by Ben's everyday (I work in the Sunlife building just a block up). If I see any changes, I'll definitely post a message here or on the Wikipedia article I started...actually passing by Ben's almost everyday inspired me to write about it. :) (originally it was just a blurb about the labour dispute).

I peaked in the window tonight, more ceiling tiles fell inside the front entrance, and more peeling strips of paint and wallpaper. The floor looks pretty grimy now, and all the lights are kept off (they used to keep it lit up at night). It almost looks like an abandoned building...

Tim: 26th May 2008 - 23:47 GMT

We used to eat there after school, the late shift at McGill we would love there smoked meat and man O man was it Good.
It's sad to see it die like it is.........R.I.P Ben's

Mitch: 31st May 2008 - 05:30 GMT

Well, the May 21st deadline passed and Still nothing at all has changed at Bens--still standing and untouched. Haven't heard anything on the news either about its fate.

I think Hydro Quebec disconnected its power a few weeks back, the place has been completely dark every night. It's pretty much abandoned at this point, save for the bordering up windows. I'm surprised no urban explorations have sneaked in to take a few photos.

I'm still watching, will post an update if anything happens...

CE: 5th Jun 2008 - 12:59 GMT

The city has approved the demolition as of last night.

www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2008/06/04/qc-bensrestaurant0504.html

Goldentone1: June 2008 -11:06 GMT: 7th Jun 2008 - 03:06 GMT

A real landmark will be gone forever. In the fifties and sixties it was a magnet for entertainers - local and international - I remember the late night sandwiches and fries so clearly. I hope the city can find a place to preserve the memories of those days.

Mitch: 7th Jun 2008 - 03:24 GMT

Pretty sad, it's quite literally a piece of Montreal being erased forever (I can't even visualize that part of downtown without that tiny 3 story building with the red "Bens" sign). I last passed by yesterday afternoon (June 5th), didn't see any signs of demolition yet.

What date it set to be torn down? Some last pictures should be taken, as well as it being torn ...

Mitch: 12th Jun 2008 - 19:58 GMT

Been very quiet since the June 3rd ruling to knock it down. Ben's is still unchanged, no one has even collected the memorabilia stacked up inside.

Any news on what's happening, or when the demolition is going to start?

EvilGentleman: 13th Jun 2008 - 02:09 GMT

No news here either, Mitch. Actually, at this point, you are my main source of news about Ben's.

Amanda: 22nd Jun 2008 - 03:33 GMT

Unbelievable! Someone needs to break in and rescue all the memorabilia and old treasures (if they're not already ruined by mold...)

So sad!

Mitch: 3rd Jul 2008 - 02:35 GMT

We're now a month past the demolition ruling, still absolutely *nothing* happening at the site. The only new thing to report are large billboards that went up in the parking lot besides Ben's, with an artist's conception of the new 28 story building that will eventually take the place of Ben's.

Found it online, including ideas of what the corner of De Maisonneuve and Metcalfe will look like (pretty ugly looking building if you ask me!).
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=153491

Mitch: 26th Sep 2008 - 00:50 GMT

Well, sorry to say the dreaded day has finally come! This afternoon (September 25th) demolition was started. The bay windows have been covered from with orange plastic sheeting from the inside, and there's a barrier erected around one side of the building for the work crew. The SIDev banner has been replaced by the demolition/decontamination company's signs.

Interestingly, in front of the sidewalk on Metcalfe street, there is a tiny hole made in the wall, just large enough to peer through if you bend down. Had a peak inside: sadly most of the interior has been completely gutted down to the bare concrete...there's even heavy machinery in there to help rip it apart. There was a musty oder coming from the hole (probably from all the water damage in the past year or two) so I didn't look too long. I can say all that's left now is the exterior shell of the building--the restaurant's interior is now long gone and past saving. I'd imagine they'll level the whole building within within the next few weeks (sometime in October?). If you want a last glance at the building or would like to take photos, better do so NOW while it's still standing...

Mitch: 1st Oct 2008 - 13:55 GMT

Went by this morning (October 1st) and saw the workcrew extending the construction barrier to encircle the entire building. Basically at this point all that's left is the building's outter shell and the Bens wrap-around/vertical sign. I wouldn't be surprised if the building is leveled to the ground before the end of the week....

Hope the memorabilia inside was rescued, it was sitting inside right up until the day before the demolition started! I wonder if they'll save the iconic Bens sign, it'd be sad if that is destroyed along with the rest of the building.

EvilGentleman: 1st Oct 2008 - 16:46 GMT

Yeah, I have went by a few times to have a look, and there is a hole in the east face of the building now. I did not take pictures since it was dark each time I passed by, but aside from the hole and the papered-up windows, the building still looks the same. I think the only day that changes will be clearly evident will be the actual demolition day.

Mitch, if you own a camera, can you take pictures, if you happen to see them tearing Ben's down? Then you can post pictures of the actual demolition in your own thread, or if you are hesitant to post, ask me for my email addy, and I can help you somehow.

Mitch: 2nd Oct 2008 - 00:58 GMT

Hmm, only hours after writing that, I passed by and saw the workers were taking down the Bens wrap-around sign. At the rate they're going, the sign will probably be gone by tomorrow (at least they were taking it off in sections, not destroying it. Perhaps it's going to the McCord museum?). As I headed home I turned around and took one last glance at the Bens sign, thinking it's probably the last time I'll ever see it again. Rather depressing.

I have an older digital camera, I can snap snaps and post them here. Not sure what will be left by Sunday, which is the next time I'll be in the area.

EvilGentleman: 2nd Oct 2008 - 13:50 GMT

Yeah, I passed by again around midnight last night, and the word "Bens" was all that was left of the sign as seen in the first picture here. I also saw the plywood barriers about 10 to 20 feet from the building on all sides. I am rarely in the city during the day lately, so it is hard for me to get pictures.

To tell you the truth, I am not even sure I want to take pictures of the actual demolition. Pretty sad...

Frank Sulman: 6th Oct 2008 - 07:51 GMT

Did you guys know someone made a video of Bens on YouTube.
Its a really sad video, but it's nice that it is there for the world to see.

EvilGentleman: 6th Oct 2008 - 23:02 GMT

What happened to the pics Mitch posted yesterday?

EvilGentleman: 6th Oct 2008 - 23:09 GMT

Or for the matter, the comments I made in reply?

Mitch Spector: 6th Oct 2008 - 23:33 GMT

These photos were taken during the early morning of October 5th. Despite the former restaurant site still, for the moment, standing, it is an interesting contrast when comparing the photos (above) from 6 months earlier.

The beginning of the end. Construction barriers now surround the entire building, blocking off public access. Sadly, Ben's restaurant certainly now has its days numbered.

One of the last traces of the former restaurant. The iconic Bens sign, in the process of being dismantled (seen here missing one of its letters) is still visible from blocks away. One of the only hints a piece of history was once here...soon to vanish forever.

Peering through a gap in the wall barrier reveals a lone chair, one of the many that once filled the restaurant floor for decades. Who knows what famous celebrities once sat upon it.

Covered bay windows, boarded up walls and a missing wrap-around sign. Nothing left to see inside, the entire interior was completely gutted and stripped to the bare concrete the week before! Saving the building is now a lost cause, all that's left is knocking down its hallow shell.

Another view of the now gone wrap-around sign. All that remains behind are the electric bulbs that once lit the sign and acted as a glowing beacon each night, in that small corner of the city. You can just make out the faded "B-e-n-s" letters that stood over the front doorway for decades.

The back side of building, once used as a service entrance and loading docks. Ironically the French "On strike" banner sits above the Bens sign, while the demolition company's banner sits directly below it. Almost a teltell series of signs, telling a story of cause and effect. The past and soon-to-be future.

Mitch Spector: 6th Oct 2008 - 23:54 GMT

About the disappearing pictures...I forgot to add comments/descriptions and inadvertently sandwiched them together edge-to-edge, making them look as one. Asked the editors to remove my post so I could repost it properly, which got done apparently, but for some reason he also took out my other post(s) AND yours as well! Oh well, if you remember what you said, feel free to rewrite it. :)

To the editors : 7th Oct 2008 - 01:57 GMT

Just want to say I write something, the next day its gone, so who ever is erasing is such a loser.
Its funny to did you know there is a video about the people who work at citynois, haha lol it's kind of funny when you watch it.

Editor: 7th Oct 2008 - 03:16 GMT

Mitch's comment was deleted at his request, and I removed EG's comment as it was to Mitch's deleted comment, and when I've left spurious comments like that in the past, EG has complained that such non-sequiturs made it look like he was talking to himself crazily, lol. So... tha'ts that. As far as I can tell, nothing else was removed.

Additionally, Frank Sulman's nasty and incorrect observations about the editors (and this site in general) have also been removed; I know you thought you were posting anonymously, Frank, but was such a wholesale mean-spirit necessary?

Come on, guys. we've talked about this before. Shit happens with the huge volume of nefarious comments. Sometimes things go missing accidentally. Between us not having spam-stopping logins and our server acting up lately, try to empathize.

Consider this, too... an editor spent a couple of hours properly wiki'ing this entry and adding photos, so give us a break, ok? ;) We also spend hours a day moderating this entire site so situations like this pop up as rarely as possible. We're scrambling to get our server-move to happen, finally, so until then, feel free to donate some money or time to the editors, otherwise, play nice til everything is sorted ;)