The Harbourlite Restaurant at the Port Elgin Beach is back in business, and the facility will remain without washrooms on site.
Restaurant owners Tom and Joan Johnston have signed a new five-year lease with the town to operate on the main beach.
They’ll do so without washroom facilities within the eatery.
At the last council meeting, Saugeen Shores councillor Dave Myette says the owners and town agreed 20-years ago the washrooms weren’t needed because public facilities were being built nearby at the harbour.
In the latest lease talks, the town was pushing for a washroom facility in the restaurant but has since backed off.
Myette says the move allows the Johnstons to move forward with a five-year business plan for the iconic beach restaurant.
Councillor Mike Myatt however, was one of two councillors who voted against the lease — saying he can’t think of one restaurant in Ontario that doesn’t have a washroom inside the premises.
Myatt says personally, one of the first things he does when entering a restaurant is to head to the washroom to wash his hands.
When pressed as to whether or not he would patronize the Habourlite, Myatt says if he does, he’ll take along some personal hand sanitizer.
The Johnstons, who were on hand for the discussion, signed their new lease once it was approved.
The Harbourlite Restaurant is slated to open this weekend.
