THE HEART OF THE CITY

CHICKEN ROOST RESTAURANT

67-69 King Street East

IMAGE: button(490 bytes)CURRENT STATUS (1999)
Present Owner: IMAGES:Chicken Roost Restaurant(20008 bytes)L. Barnett
Present Use: Cheapies Record Store
Heritage Status: Listed on the City's Inventory of Buildings of Architectural and / or Historical Interest
Locally Significant Date: N/A

IMAGE: button(490 bytes)BUILDING INFORMATION
Date Built: c.1837
Original Owner: Ebenezer Stinson, dry goods merchant
Original Use: J. and W. Myles and Evans Brothers, hardware merchants
Subsequent Uses: #67:  (1870-86) Webber and Winslow, hardware; (1930-400 C.M. Earle, ready-to-wear; #69 (1859-71) J. Wills, Shoemaker; (1902-29) Crystal Cafe; (1910-29) Connon Floral Co.; (1930-40) Honey Dew Restaurant; (1949-85) Chicken Roost Restaurant
Previous Building on Site: N/A

IMAGE: button(490 bytes)ARCHITECTURE
Size: #67-71: 51.54 feet; height:   three-storey
Design and Style: Georgian
Architect, Builder: Unknown
Construction Materials: Brick masonry
Architectural Integrity:N/A
Architectural Features: Except for gable roof, most of the original features have since been altered:  each unit had two double-hung sash windows with flared lintels on both second and third floors; several also had the type of recessed entry reminiscent of an older time

The Mintz brothers, Max and Benny, opened the "Chicken Roost Restaurant", located at 67-69 King Street East, on October 1, 1948. That day, the storefront was packed with a lineup of people waiting for the tasty recipes inside.

Max was no stranger to the chicken business when he started his own restaurant. He formerly worked at the Chicken Palace owned by Benny and Minnie Ber, which was located on Yonge Street in Toronto. After spending some time learning the business, and after having married the Ber’s daughter Sameith, Mintz left the business, taking with him three chefs, the baker, and a few of the restaurant’s recipes.

IMAGE: Chicken Roost Restaurant inside(15908 bytes)Being a quick-minded businessman, a skill he acquired while trying to survive as a poor child on the streets of Toronto, Max scouted out a location for what would be his version of the Chicken Palace. The downtown site seemed perfect for his dream restaurant. All that he needed was a building to house his establishment. Unfortunately, no one would build the building for the Mintz brothers, as they did not have the required funds. Cooper Construction took on the job, knowing that the possibility of not being paid existed. When asked why he took the job, Cooper simply stated that he had confidence in Max. As it turned out, Max was unable to make a second payment for the work performed by Cooper Construction. This did not stop Max in his pursuits. Needing a cash register for his business, and not having enough funds to make the purchase, Max sold his suit. He eventually repaid Cooper, years later, by catering the weddings of Cooper’s daughters.

At the height of the business, the Chicken Roost employed 56 people. Max’s immediate family (his wife and daughters) even helped out when needed. The restaurant had a seating capacity of 160. Some of the favorite menu items served in the Chicken Roost included: lobster salad, chopped liver, tea biscuits, Cherry Cokes, french fries, chicken soup, pies, rice puddings, and ice cream topped with fudge sauce.

In 1984, the restaurant was sold to three businessmen from Toronto. The restaurant closed in 1986. Max Mintz continued on in the food service industry and is now proprietor of "Maxwell Dining Ltd.". This loved Hamilton restaurant, serving the area for a generation, was sadly missed.

REFERENCES:
Clipping File – Hamilton – Restaurants – Chicken Roost. Special Collections, HPL.
Downtown Hamilton – The Heart of It All. Special Collections, HPL.
Hamilton Report, Winter 1996. Special Collections, HPL.
LACAC Research Files.  Planning Department, City Hall.

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