Sudbury's Damascus Restaurant owners bounce back from yet another challenge
A Syrian restaurant in Greater Sudbury that was forced to close because of a fire has rebuilt and reopened.
Being shut down since mid-winter is just one of many challenges the Qarqouz family has faced. They were forced to flee their home country in 2016 because of a brutal civil war.
"We left from Syria with our pants and shirts that’s it," Mohammad Qarqouz said Thursday, of the family's arrival in northern Ontario.
“My dad worked at Golden Grain (Bakery), he worked at Costco, he worked at Regency Bakery and then he decided to open his own restaurant … We lost our restaurant, our business, our home -- we lost everything back home."
The family opened Damascus Restaurant downtown in April 2018. While in that location the family dealt with vandalism and theft before the lease ran out and the building was ultimately torn down.
They took a few months to find a new location, but when they opened again, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and then, most recently a fire.
They closed again for three months to repair the damages.
“Some of the stuff we could clean," Qarqouz said. "It took a while -- just the smell was in here for probably the last two weeks before we opened."
Through it all, the family said Sudburians have been supportive.
“I think, especially in the last couple years, we’ve all seen, you know, a shift towards local because this is the heartbeat of the city," said regular customer Judd Hards.
"It's where everybody comes and dines and eats and does everything. If you don’t support local then they’re all going to disappear."
The owners said they lost two employees due to the closure after the fire, so it’s been a father-and-son-run operation for the most part. They are now hoping to give back and to help Ukrainian refugees by offering them employment.
“My door is open for every Ukrainian," said Hussein Qarqouz. "I (could) use two or three Ukraine people with me because very good cooking and food there.”
Damascus is open Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Thieves use stolen forklift to rip cash machine out of U.K. bank
Police in the U.K. are searching for a group of suspects seen on video using a forklift to steal a cash machine from a bank.
'There was a lot of black smoke': Crane operator sounds alarm while trapped during highrise fire in Halifax
A tower crane operator alerted emergency crews after noticing a fire on a construction site in Halifax Tuesday morning.