Andrew Coppolino takes a look at the state of restaurant closures and openings in Waterloo region

In recent months, the food and beverage landscape has changed — with some restaurant closures, but many new businesses have opened even with COVID-19 still lurking. Waterloo Region has experienced closures — not all due to the pandemic — including some popular long-standing venues like Marbles, Angie's and Stoyle's Fish and Chips in Cambridge. A recent arrival to the scene, Breakfast, Blues and BBQs, on Victoria Street South near Oak Street, has closed and their food truck has been put up on blocks as well. Bricks and Mortar General Store and Restaurant in Cambridge has closed as well, though their social-media postings say COVID was not a factor. Not a closure, per se, but the Cerny Group has sold the Cambridge Blackshop!, where the business started decades ago by the late Alec and John Cerny's parents. John is now focusing on Sole Waterloo and Melville Cafe Cambridge.

Happily, there are lots of openings that outnumber closures. Here is a selection. In Cambridge, indoor dining re-opens at Little Mushroom Dining Lounge. Little Mushroom has also taken over food operations at Descendants Beer and Beverage Co. in Kitchener and Bitte Schon brewery in New Hamburg.

A fire at The Rich Uncle in August has meant renovations, but the pandemic has made finding drywallers difficult. Look for them to re-open at the end of month.

With grocery stores needed — to add to Full Circle Grocery & Bulk — Marche Leo's has opened at the corner of King and Water in downtown Kitchener. They offer groceries as well as quick take-away meals.

Nearby, Damera East Mediterranean Restaurant and Bar has opened at 179 King Street, and a couple blocks away is Wineology Bar and Restaurant.

Around the corner, along Queen Street, there's a unique "natural wine bar" and retail store that just opened by Lindsay Cameron called Goldie's Convenience. Cameron says she features by-the-glass natural and low-intervention wines, and lots from Ontario. It opens this week.

In a time of restricted seating, it's great to see a small venue, Pho Vietnam K & W, expand and assume next-door space at its location at King and Cedar streets.