Above Watch: The Pointe St. Charles institution Magnan’s Tavern served its last steak on Dec. 21. and on Tuesday it became an impromptu auction house. Billy Shields reports.
MONTREAL — The Pointe St. Charles institution Magnan’s Tavern served its last steak on Dec. 21. and on Tuesday it became an impromptu auction house.
READ MORE: Magnan’s Tavern serves its last beef in Point St. Charles
“Do I hear 50 cents chaque? 50 cents. Who’ll do 75?” bellowed auctioneer Michael Martin, as he pointed to a dozen plates.
Magnan’s was a family restaurant on the south end of town since 1932.
But as the demographics of the area changed, the original location seemed increasingly out of place.
In recent years, Magnan’s opened a franchise in Boucherville that now serves mall customers.
Some bidding on items were like Betty Crisante, the general manager of the Monkland Tennis Club.
She was there specifically to bid on a four-door refrigerator worth $4,000 new.
“I’ve got a cap of $1,700 I can spend,” she whispered.
“It’s a shame that I never ate here when it was open.”
Others at the auction, like Julie Bisson, were there for sentimental reasons.
“I ate here as a customer,” she said. She bought a neon sign for $100.
“It’s a chance to buy a piece of the past.”
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