a message from obladee
CREDIT: Unbound Media for Taste of Nova Scotia
After 15 years in the Halifax Downtown, Obladee is now closed. Our last service was Thursday, April 30 2026
BACKGROUND
Starfish Properties, our new landlord, asserted that the work needed to fix the building facade, which has been the subject of an HRM Order to Comply since 2023, allowed them to terminate our lease.
For nearly three years Obladee urged the City to enforce its Order and see that the necessary repairs were completed. In the Spring of 2025 with the support of our Community, we were able to work with HRM on a plan to address the needed repairs while supporting the ongoing viability of our business.
On January 12 of this year the facade repair work began while we operated safely and welcomed our guests as normal.
On February 2, facing the termination of our lease, Obladee filed for and received an interim injunction from the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia which prevented eviction until April 30.
On April 27 & 28 we returned to Court for an interlocutory injunction to stop the lease termination and eviction until such time as the matter can be properly decided by the Courts. Unfortunately that injunction was not granted.
PoLicy Work
Over the last few months it has become increasingly clear how many small businesses have been through similar situations and how many are now concerned about their own rights. Given this, we have proposed some Policy Recommendations to better support small businesses in HRM and Nova Scotia.
Our 3-part Policy Proposal is as follows:
Establish a NS Small Business Commissioner (NS). Nova Scotia’s small businesses are highly vulnerable to battles with larger, better-resourced entities. Whether facing lease terminations, predatory contract practices, or unresponsive bureaucracies, small businesses need an independent authority with accessible dispute resolution to protect their rights. Relying on the Supreme Court or navigating bureaucratic dead-ends drains resources and reduces investment in entrepreneurship which we need in Nova Scotia.
Implement a Scaffolding Encroachment Tax (HRM). Scaffolding that blocks sidewalks, impedes visibility, and kills local foot traffic is hugely destructive to both urban vibrancy and main street businesses. When scaffolding is necessary, there should be short duration permits, strict compliance mechanisms (inspections), and escalating fines if building work isn't done on time.
Require Mandatory Construction Impact Mitigation (HRM). Currently, significant construction and building work can be permitted and undertaken without an assessment or mitigation of impacts on operating businesses or even notification. Mandatory notification and impact mitigation plans should be in place before any permit is approved, and compliance needs to be enforced.
These policies have been reviewed by municipal and provincial governments and we are working to move them forward. Here’s a status on those:
The NS Liberal Party tabled the Small Business Commissioner Act (policy #1) (first and second reading) with support from the NDP and Independent MLAs. Similar legislation has also been introduced by the NS NDP.
Policies #2 & #3 have been brought to City Hall and we are working with the Mayor’s Office and our Downtown Councilor Laura White to move these initiatives forward.
The CFIB and all Business Improvement Districts in the Halifax Area sent a letter to Council in support of #2 and #3 (among other measures to support Small Business).
SUMMARY
In closing, we want to be clear that we have never opposed the necessary remediation of the Tramway Building, we were simply asking to be treated fairly and for our valid lease to be respected. We have always met all of our obligations under our lease.
Heather & Christian ♥️