For nearly four decades, the Hart House restaurant in Burnaby’s Deer Lake has hosted celebrations big and small.

“Weddings, first and foremost, but also Baptisms, first communions, anniversaries, birthdays – there’s generations of people who’ve celebrated their major milestones at Hart House,” said Sonja Muller, sales manager for Hart House.

“And we actually have people who have been coming here so many years, their kids get married here too,” said Erkan Esgin, general manager.

While the Tudor style mansion is owned by the City of Burnaby, it’s been run by the Smolen family since 1988. But as its lease with the city is set to expire at the end of 2027, the operators are now uncertain about its future.

“We were informed in 2024 that the lease would expire and would not be renewed, and the property would be folded into the portfolio of the city. But then, there was a change, and we were approached again by the city saying we might consider renewing the lease,” said Muller.

Back in August, Burnaby put out a request for expressions of interest for the property.

The city says while it doesn’t always involve the public for every lease renewal, it decided a competitive process was needed to “test the market and determine what would deliver the best long-term value.”

Submissions are now closed with the current operators as the lone applicant.

“We totally understand the city’s responsibility to meet their obligations and try to do what’s best for the community – we happen to think we are the best for the community,” said Esgin.

And the community agrees. A petition launched by the restaurant asking for support has over 2000 signatures. 

“I’ve been coming since it opened, everyone at this table…we come here before we go to the theatre. We use it so many times for all kinds of occasions, so I’d hate to see that change.”

“I worked here for almost ten years, I met my husband here, we dated and now we have a baby. So I call him Hart House baby.”

“My great grandma grew up there, her parents Alice and Frederick built the house. It’s been a part of my entire life. Why fix what’s broke? There’s no reason to get involved, it can go on for many decades to come I’m sure,” said Shawn Freyman whose family built the home.

The city says staff are now reviewing the responses, and next steps will be provided to council for consideration at a later date.