In a shocking turn of events, former employees of downtown Orillia's beloved Fionn MacCool’s have been left reeling after learning that the restaurant will not reopen its doors. The establishment closed unexpectedly on October 13, sporting a sign suggesting its closure was merely seasonal.

Lyndsay Jardine, a former chef at the restaurant, expressed her disbelief and frustration, stating, "We were blindsided. When we were told it was closing for the season, we thought we’d be coming back in May, just like the public was led to believe. We never saw this coming."

Despite repeatedly reaching out for clarity, Jardine received the bombshell news just a month before the anticipated reopening. A simple text from the previous general manager confirmed it: the closure is final.

"I was told not to contact management again, and that was how I found out they won't be reopening at all," she recounted, visibly upset by the abrupt lack of communication.

Kenny Gibson, president of Sunray Group, which owns the restaurant franchise, has declined to comment. Meanwhile, Melville John from the operations team expressed ignorance about any potential future plans for the Orillia location.

Jardine described the situation as "unfair" and explained that the sudden news left her and others scrambling, especially since she had not applied for Employment Insurance, banking on returning to work.

With an estimated 20 to 25 staff members—chefs, servers, and bartenders—now facing uncertainty, Jardine remarked, "People deserve some kind of severance. We were left in the dark while the public remains clueless about what’s really happening."

Fionn MacCool’s was a cornerstone of Orillia’s dining scene, famously featuring a stunning patio overlooking Lake Couchiching. Jardine lamented, "This location is prime. It was always bustling with foot traffic in the summer, and it doesn’t make sense for such a vibrant spot to sit vacant."

Rumors abound that another restaurant might consider the space, but with no official announcements or job postings surfacing, uncertainty looms large.

Jardine pointed out, "If someone new is taking over, why haven’t we heard anything? Why not bring back staff familiar with the kitchen and the flow of the place? It’s just common sense."

In her quest for answers and potential job opportunities, Jardine approached hotel management directly, advocating not just for herself but for her entire team. "We built something special there, and it feels like we’ve been erased without even a goodbye," she said.

Reflecting on the impact of the closure, Jardine believes the community misses Fionn MacCool’s greatly. "People are expecting it to reopen, but they don’t know what’s really going on. They deserve transparency."

As for the future, Jardine is calling on Sunray Group to step up—provide clarity, offer compensation, and prioritize former staff if a new restaurant emerges.

"We’re talking about livelihoods here. It just doesn’t feel right to leave us all behind," she concluded.