Anonymous investor steps forward to back Beaumont's Chartier restaurant

Chartier restaurant in Beaumont will remain open thanks to an anonymous investor.

The French-Canadian eatery made the announcement on social media on Monday morning.

The restaurant had announced in August it would close at the end of September due to financial issues stemming from the pandemic and the rising cost of food.

Since announcing the closure, Chartier's owners say its reservation book has been full and they had to call in more staff to meet the demand.

Then, anonymous new backers — a local couple from Beaumont — came forward.

"They said that they had been blessed with much and wanted to make sure that people who are doing good work could keep doing good work," Sylvia Cheverie, founder and owner of Chartier, told CTV News Edmonton on Tuesday.

"I'm not one to be speechless, but I think that that was the most speechless that I've ever been in my entire life. It felt like a dream. It felt like a miracle. I think that's one of the reasons why it has definitely renewed our faith and in the good that there is out there, and that if you put good things out, the things will come back."

Chartier said the restaurant will be closed from Sept. 30 and aiming to reopen Oct. 23 to allow staff to rest and deep clean the restaurant. 

They also plan to retool the menu based on customer feedback.