Lease Agreement Signed For Port Elgin's Harbourlite Restaurant

Saugeen Shores council has settled the lease for the iconic Harbourlite Restaurant at the Port Elgin waterfront.

Council voted 7-2 to approve a five-year lease with owners Tom and Joan Johnston, just two weeks after turning down a similar proposed lease.

The new lease does not require the Johnston's to construct washrooms within the restaurant, which was the sticking point for councillors that caused the initial rejection.

Councillor Mike Myatt voted against the lease and says he has nothing against the Johnston's or the Harbourlite, but does not understand why constructing a washroom was such a big deal for some councillors.

"It's a vote of not supporting the Johnston's for the operation of the Harbourlite Restaurant, the Johnston's do a wonderful job," says Myatt. "My only point was that, name me a restaurant in the province of Ontario that does not have washroom inside a restaurant."

Councillor Dave Myette points out the adjacent public washrooms have served as the washrooms for the Harbourlite for about the past 20 years and he sees no reason why that should change now.

The Johnston's signed the lease immediately following the council vote and say they will have the Harbourlite Restaurant open for the summer tourism season starting this weekend.

Harbourlite Restaurant owner Tom Johnston [left] with his wife Joan as they sign the lease with Saugeen Shores council. (photo by Jordan MacKinnon)