Deer Lake's Hart House restaurant fights for its City of Burnaby lease after 38 years
The City of Burnaby opened the Hart House lease to competitive bidding for the first time, and the current operators have launched a petition that gathered over 2,000 signatures in seven days.
Reported. A news outlet found this. voche.me names the outlet and links its report. Read the original report on nomsmagazine.com.
A Burnaby restaurant in a heritage 1912 mansion at Deer Lake may lose its lease after the City of Burnaby opened the renewal to competitive bidding for the first time, Noms Magazine reported on November 12. The current operators of Hart House submitted an application alongside others, and manager Sonja Muller has launched a petition that gathered over 2,000 signatures within seven days.
The City owns the building at Deer Lake Avenue. Hart House has operated there since September 1988, 38 years at the same address. The lease expires in December 2027. City staff will bring a recommendation to Burnaby City Council at a future date, Noms Magazine reports. Any new agreement is expected to start between mid-2028 and early 2029.
What the petition says
Muller initiated the Change.org petition on November 3. Noms Magazine quotes her writing that the situation "threatens more than four dozen livelihoods" and that the team understands the city must review its leases. The petition had gathered over 2,000 signatures within a week.
What is known about the building
The mansion was built in 1912 and holds a heritage designation, Noms Magazine reports. It was built for Frederick Hart and Alice Hart. Hart House was founded there in September 1988 by Paul Smolen and Peter Scott. Smolen later took sole ownership, and after his death in 2019 his wife Carol has managed the operation.
The property must continue as a restaurant and wedding venue regardless of which operator takes the lease, so the building's use will not change, Noms Magazine reports.
What residents can do
Existing reservations at Hart House remain unaffected through 2027. When the lease decision comes before Burnaby City Council, residents can speak at the public meeting or write to council. The new council was sworn in on November 12. The Burnaby promise tracker records what each councillor committed to on business and spending decisions during the 2026 campaign.
Questions this story answers
What is happening with Hart House restaurant at Deer Lake in Burnaby?
Noms Magazine reports that the City of Burnaby, which owns the 1912 heritage mansion where Hart House operates, opened the lease renewal to competitive bidding in August 2026 for the first time. The current operators submitted an application alongside other interested parties. City staff will present a recommendation to Burnaby City Council at a future date. The current lease runs to December 2027.
How long has Hart House been at Deer Lake?
Noms Magazine reports Hart House opened at the Deer Lake mansion in September 1988, making it 38 years of operation at that location. The restaurant was founded by Paul Smolen and Peter Scott. Smolen took sole ownership in 2000, and his wife Carol has managed it since his death in 2019. The building itself was built in 1912 and holds a heritage designation.
What did the Hart House petition say and how many signed it?
Noms Magazine reports that manager Sonja Muller launched a petition on November 3, 2026 on Change.org, asking Burnaby City Council to support the current operator's renewal bid. The petition gathered over 2,000 signatures within seven days. Muller is quoted as writing that the potential closure 'threatens more than four dozen livelihoods', and that the team understands the city's need to review its leases.
Will Hart House close immediately?
Noms Magazine reports that existing reservations remain unaffected through 2027. The property will continue to operate as a restaurant and wedding venue regardless of which operator wins the new agreement. Any new agreement is expected to start between mid-2028 and early 2029, so the restaurant will remain open at least until then.
Who will make the final decision on the Hart House lease?
Noms Magazine reports that city staff will present a recommendation to Burnaby City Council at a future date. The new council, sworn in on November 12, will make the decision. The City opened expressions of interest in August 2026, and the application window has now closed.
What is the Hart House property, and does it have heritage status?
Noms Magazine reports the building is a 1912 mansion on Deer Lake Avenue that holds a heritage designation. It was originally built for Frederick Hart and Alice Hart. The property is owned by the City of Burnaby and has operated as a restaurant and outdoor wedding venue since Hart House opened there in 1988.
What is the City of Burnaby's role in the Hart House lease?
The City of Burnaby owns the heritage mansion at Deer Lake where Hart House operates. In previous lease cycles, the City renewed the lease without public competition. This time, the City opened an expressions-of-interest process in August 2026, requiring the current operators to apply alongside others. City staff will present a recommendation to council at a future date.
What can Burnaby residents do about the Hart House lease decision?
Noms Magazine's article links the Change.org petition launched by manager Sonja Muller, where residents can sign in support of the current operators. Residents can also speak to the matter when it comes before Burnaby City Council. The new council was sworn in on November 12, and the lease decision will be made before the current agreement ends in December 2027.
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