Shaughnessy Restaurant, operated by the Chatten family for 25 years at Vancouver’s VanDusen Botanical Gardens, faces an uncertain future as its lease expires in January. The Vancouver Park Board's new competitive procurement process, introduced in July 2022, has led to Truffles Fine Foods being recommended for the contract, causing frustration and concerns about transparency for the Chattens and their 35+ employees. A petition supporting Shaughnessy Restaurant has garnered over 1,500 signatures.
Longtime restaurant’s lease at Vancouver’s VanDusen Gardens in limbo
Vancouver
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Shaughnessy Restaurant, operated by the Chatten family for 25 years at Vancouver’s VanDusen Botanical Gardens, faces an uncertain future as its lease expires in January. The Vancouver Park Board's new competitive procurement process, introduced in July 2022, has led to Truffles Fine Foods being recommended for the contract, causing frustration and concerns about transparency for the Chattens and their 35+ employees. A petition supporting Shaughnessy Restaurant has garnered over 1,500 signatures.
Trending- 1 Shaughnessy Restaurant operated for 25 years at VanDusen Botanical Gardens
- 2 July 2022: Vancouver Park Board introduced new procurement process
- 3 Wednesday, July 9, 2025: Issue was to be discussed at Vancouver City Council meeting but was dropped
- 4 Friday, July 11, 2025: Petition launched in support of Shaughnessy Restaurant
- 5 January (likely 2026): Shaughnessy Restaurant's lease is set to expire
- Potential loss of lease for Shaughnessy Restaurant after 25 years
- Uncertainty for over 35 employees of Shaughnessy Restaurant
- Frustration and concerns about lack of transparency for the Chatten family
- Public petition launched in support of Shaughnessy Restaurant
What: Shaughnessy Restaurant's lease at VanDusen Botanical Gardens is in jeopardy due to a new competitive procurement process by the Vancouver Park Board, which has recommended Truffles Fine Foods for the contract.
When: Lease expires in January (likely 2026); New procurement process introduced July 2022; Issue was to be discussed at Vancouver City Council meeting on Wednesday, July 9, 2025; Petition launched as of Friday, July 11, 2025.
Where: Shaughnessy Restaurant, VanDusen Botanical Gardens, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Why: The Vancouver Park Board introduced a new procurement policy in July 2022 to ensure 'highest and best use' and 'top financial return' for long-term contracts, leading to a competitive RFP process.
How: The Vancouver Park Board initiated a Request for Proposal (RFP) process for the restaurant lease, receiving responses from Shaughnessy Restaurant and Truffles Fine Foods Ltd., with the latter being recommended.