Renowned culinary institution goes bankrupt after 90 years: liquidation request and massive debts
The "Chenoys" restaurant in Montreal, which operated for decades and was known for its smoked meat sandwiches, has closed due to debts of over one million dollars. The court rejected the request to cancel the liquidation: "The company was clearly insolvent."
The management company of the renowned "Chenoys" deli in the West Island area of Montreal has reached the end of its road. The culinary institution, known for its smoked meat sandwiches, red booths, and 24/7 operations, went bankrupt due to debts totaling over one million dollars, following years of accumulated losses and unpaid bills.
The Chenoys brand has been operating in Montreal since 1936, when the original deli opened on Saint Laurent Boulevard. The branch in Dollard-des-Ormeaux opened in 1974 and became one of the most recognized and beloved institutions in the area.
However, on April 14, 2026, the restaurant's management company entered into a voluntary bankruptcy process. An official notice has been posted on the doors of the premises, warning that no equipment or property may be removed from the restaurant without written permission from the liquidator.
The court rejected the request to cancel the liquidation. Following the bankruptcy announcement, the management company and its sole director, Argyro Sigounis, appealed to the Superior Court of Quebec to cancel the liquidation. They claimed that the decision was not properly approved and was intended to circumvent an ongoing dispute over unpaid rent.
However, Judge Luc Morin rejected the request in July, ruling that the company was "clearly insolvent." It was revealed in court that the company had accumulated heavy losses, failed to pay suppliers, and accrued massive debts to tax authorities, while requests for updated financial reports remained unanswered. The news of the closure sparked a wave of nostalgia on social media, where many customers shared memories from the last four decades.
