The Franklin House, a longtime restaurant and bar housed in one of Mississauga’s most historic buildings, is currently closed, leaving residents wondering what will happen to the landmark establishment.

There are indications the Streetsville business could soon reopen under new ownership, with Mississauga Ward 11 Councillor Brad Butt saying he has heard a new operator is preparing to take over and could welcome customers soon.

The sudden closure has prompted considerable discussion in Streetsville, but the details surrounding the change remain unclear.

“I heard like late last week that there is a new business, a new owner that’s coming in,” Butt told INsauga.com. “Apparently there is someone, and it should be reopened by — they’re telling me by the end of the week.”

However, Butt stressed that he has not been contacted directly by anyone involved in the business and does not know whether it will retain its familiar name or restaurant format.

“Whether they just continue to run it exactly how it’s been run before, or whether there’s going to be some change to the format, I don’t know,” he said.

Butt also pointed to some of the challenges associated with operating a restaurant in the historic building, including its relatively small main-floor dining area and limited space upstairs.

He said the upper floor is better suited to occasional private functions than regular restaurant operations, while the basement presents another potential challenge because of flooding.

Streetsville has a high water table, Butt explained, and basement flooding has been an ongoing issue for several businesses in the village. He said the problem can be particularly concerning for restaurants that rely on basement refrigerators and freezers for food storage.

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The uncertainty surrounding the Franklin House is particularly notable given the building’s place in Streetsville’s history.

Dating back to approximately 1855, the property was originally constructed as a private residence for Peter Douglass, an early local landowner. It was purchased in 1859 by Bennet Franklin, a partner in the Barber Brothers’ Toronto Woollen Mills, whose name would eventually become attached to the property.

In 1876, the building was purchased by John Lennon, who converted it into the Franklin House Hotel, opening its doors to the public in 1877. It became a popular gathering place for residents and visitors to the village.

(Coincidentally, John Lennon of the Beatles was reportedly spotted in a Rolls-Royce parked in front of the Franklin House while staying nearby at Ronnie Hawkins’ farm in 1969.)

The hotel closed in 1914 following the passage of the Canada Temperance Act in Peel County. The building subsequently served other purposes, including as apartments and a tea room, before narrowly escaping demolition in 1979.

Its historical significance was recognized through a heritage designation in 1983, and the restored building eventually returned to commercial use as a public house.

It has long been recognized as Mississauga’s oldest operating public house and remains one of Streetsville’s best-known establishments.

For Butt, keeping the historic property active and part of village life is important.

The councillor said he hopes to see the doors open again soon, although the details of the anticipated change in ownership and what the next chapter will look like remain to be seen.

For now, Streetsville residents will be watching to see whether the familiar landmark is ready to welcome customers again before the week is out.


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