Hermanos closes its doors ‘indefinitely’

Hermanos South American Steakhouse has closed its doors “indefinitely” just over two months after it officially opened in the historic Brandon firehall building on Princess Avenue.

Co-owner Riley Bernier said in a statement Wednesday the closure is due to “circumstances involving one of our business partners (that) have made it impossible for us to continue operating Hermanos in a way that aligns with our values.”

Bernier, who declined an interview with the Sun, did not name the business partner in the statement.

“While we believed this individual would bring valuable experience and expertise to the business, we later became aware of business practices that raised serious concerns for us about the impact their decisions were having on our employees and our family,” he said.

Bernier, who also worked as the operational executive chef, said the sudden decision to close wasn’t made lightly and he is extremely disappointed.

“We can’t ignore what we have learned or allow circumstances that we believe are harmful to our employees and our family to continue,” the statement said, adding that closing the restaurant was a painful choice, but he wasn’t willing to compromise the well-being of staff.

Bernier acknowledged opening a business is always a challenge and that he and his wife, co-owner Juliana Bernier, understood the responsibility they were taking on. He said they poured their time, energy and hearts into trying to make the restaurant a success.

“We are deeply sorry for the impact this situation has had on our employees and clients,” Bernier said.

He thanked his staff for their hard work, saying they “deserved better than this outcome,” and Brandonites who dined at the restaurant and supported them.

“We will always be grateful,” he said.

The expansion to the Wheat City marked a significant milestone for the nearly two-decade-old restaurant brand, known for its South American-inspired cuisine and roots in Winnipeg’s Exchange District.

Bernier’s father, Noel, who’s co-founder of the brand, previously told the Sun the city was the right fit, and the move reflected the business’s growth.

The Sun reached out to Noel for comment on Wednesday, but he didn’t immediately respond.

The local establishment opened at the historic Brandon Central Fire Station in mid-June for an event series in which patrons bought tickets to eat a multi-course meal paired with storytelling that highlighted South American regions such as Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.

The restaurant also held a firefighters’ ball to support local members of the International Association of Fire Fighters.

It officially opened its regular dine-in services for up to 72 guests in July.

Bernier previously told the Sun the restaurant had plans to open an outdoor patio to accommodate up to 40 patrons and host a comedy club in the basement, which was expected to launch this fall.

The restaurant’s opening was backed by a long-term lease agreement with building owner Phil Dorn, including an option to purchase.

The Sun reached out to Dorn on Wednesday afternoon, but he did not respond to a request for comment.

Hermanos South American Steakhouse received mixed reviews online, including a 2.8 out of five-star rating on Google, with some reviewers complaining about food quality and poor service, though others said their dining experience was excellent.

» tadamski@brandonsun.com