Well-loved Syrian restaurant in Hamilton, Ont., shuts down after more than $1K increase in rent

The doors at Tomah restaurant closed for the last time Sunday night, but owner Mohamed Tomeh says it's not the end of his journey to bring Syrian flavour to Hamilton.

The restaurateur said he's considering opening a cheese factory or starting up a food truck, but after a rent increase of as much as $2,000 for the location on Queen Street South, he'd have a hard time trusting a landlord again.

"All my family, their heart is broken now," he said Monday, as he watched workers cleaning up the restaurant and clearing out equipment.

Tomeh immigrated to Canada from Syria in September, 2018.

"For the future for my family, my children, Canada is the best place," he told CBC.

Roughly nine months after their arrival, the family opened the restaurant, taking over from a bar and grill called Big Ed's.

Tomah, Taste of Syria Restaurant and Cheesemaker, the sign outside has read since.

It's proven popular, with satisfied diners sharing their appreciation for the food on a January post by Tomeh, thanking customers for their support.

"Love your food and kindness!" wrote one person. "We are lucky to have you," said another. 

A father of six, Tomeh ran the restaurant with the help of his wife and four of their kids, who lent a hand after school.

But when negotiations began for a new lease back in November, he said he was shocked by his landlord asking for around $1,700 more per month, on top the $3,700 he'd been paying. Tomeh said at one point the landlord mentioned charging $5,700.

"It's very difficult," he said. "He surprised me, [it's] too much."

A listing for the restaurant is asking for $26 per square foot and $9 in annual taxes, for the 1,900-square-foot-space.

That works out to about $5,400 per month, a figure Tomeh said is just too high when added to his other bills.