Brussels café Monk near Place Sainte-Catherine is known among locals as the place to go in the city to experience the quintessential Belgian atmosphere (and eat delicious spaghetti). But soon it will be closing its doors.
From its cosy, wooden benches to its coloured floor tiles and walls covered in mirrors, there are few venues in Brussels as authentic as café Monk, where local delicacies such as a pistolet are served up, alongside their renowned four spaghetti dishes and, sometimes, live piano music.
The place is almost universally popular, drawing locals and tourists alike, but not for much longer as the iconic café is to close its doors, it announced in a press release.
The business threatened to go under after the pandemic but was saved by the ZUUR/Growfunding fund-raising campaign, which kept it afloat. It is unlikely that a similar initiative will save Monk a second time.
Thriving business
The closure is reportedly the result of the owner of the premises, drinks retailer Horeca Logistics Services (HLS), refusing a lease extension as it wants to renovate the partly listed building.
The owners of Monk litigated against the decision but according to rental laws, renewing a commercial lease can be refused if the owner wants to carry out structural works which involve demolition and reconstruction and cost more than three years' rent, Bruzz reported.
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The eatery's current operator Filip Jans, who took over the café ten years ago after it was declared bankrupt, stated he was particularly disappointed. "Suddenly, 27 staff members lose their jobs while Monk is a thriving business and a financially healthy company."
The Brussels staple will likely have to vacate the building on Rue Sainte Catherine in the city centre by 17 May 2023 at the latest. The manager plans to hold a party for the tenth anniversary of his establishment on Saturday 13 May.
