In a move that will likely surprise few, Salt Tasting Room is "following its sibling" The Irish Heather and closing up shop in Gastown to move to a new location.
The charcuterie and wine bar announced recently it would soon be bidding farewell to its longstanding Blood Alley digs and shift operations to an as-yet announced location in Chinatown.
Earlier this year, Irish Heather's chef-owner Sean Heather packed up his 24-year-old gastropub and moved the business to Chinatown. The Irish Heather re-opened in early June at 248 East Georgia Street. In late May, Smith's Bar & Restaurant, an Irish-themed pub, opened its doors in the former Irish Heather space in Gastown.
"By moving to another location, we can reduce our overheads, including rent, insurance, property taxes, etc.," explained Heather back in March about the Irish Heather's move.
Heather has been in business in Vancouver since 1997 and has been determined not to let the COVID-19 pandemic and its surrounding economic fallout take him, his businesses, and his staff out of the game. In addition to the Irish Heather and Salt Tasting Room, he operates Open Outcry, the cocktail-focused restaurant located in the old Vancouver Stock Exchange building in Downtown, and other endeavours under the Heather Hospitality Group banner.
The last boards of meat and cheese will be loaded up on Saturday, Aug. 21, which will be Salt Tasting Room's final day of service in its Blood Alley home. Salt Tasting Room is aiming to re-opening in Chinatown in October. You can follow @salttastingroom on Instagram for updates.
