The front doors of the now permanently closed The Mezz Bar & Eatery. (Photo Courtesy Ross Lavigne)

By Gates Guarin

Downtown eatery The Mezz closes its doors

Dec 1, 2022 | 4:59 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A downtown restaurant has suddenly closed its doors at the onset of the holiday season.

The Mezz Bar & Eatery, located at 620 Second St. SE, announced on Facebook that after two and a half years, it would be shutting down operations effective immediately, much to the surprise of several who commented.

“The Mezz was a wonderful addition to our downtown,” says Heather Koch. Another comment from Denise Gardiner reads: “My heart goes out to the staff and people who are affected by this.”

At the time of writing, more than 300 comments sharing memories and condolences to management and staff. Several other comments on the post were questioning what would happen to unused gift cards now that the business is permanently closed.

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The closure is a major blow to the downtown business core, with several businesses also expressing their sadness over the business.

Courtesy The Mezz Facebook page

Shauna Mamona, co-owner of Casa Amigos Cantina, says she is saddened by the sudden news.

“I’m actually disheartened about it,” Mamona says. “It was sad and so sudden that it scares downtown business. The more business that is downtown, I feel the more people come down and we have lots of things to go to as opposed to minor things that close at five.”

She mentions that inflation has caused her restaurant to keep its menu small to curb the rising costs of food and ingredients. Mamona adds she hopes support for downtown businesses grows, to avoid more doors closing.

“I’m hoping that people come out and support local and visit the shops downtown,” Mamona says. “I’m also hoping other shops will come down and build and just make it so that there’s no empty places and everybody is just kind of just, flowing with the streets. It’s great down here and it’s a beautiful little downtown and I would love to see it stay alive.”

CHAT News reached out to ownership of The Mezz, but they declined an interview.