Obladee, Ob-la-da, life may not go on for beloved downtown wine bar
Obladee Wine Bar, located at the corner of Barrington Street and Sackville Street, is currently hidden behind a maze of scaffolding. The building has been under construction since July 2023 when HRM issued a safety order due to a hazardous facade. Heather and Christian Rankin, the siblings who own Obladee, have been left in the dark about when the work will be completed.
Christian Rankin explained in an interview that the scaffolding was erected to protect pedestrians after a piece of material fell off the building. Despite the urgency of the situation, the building owner has not taken any action to address the safety concerns. In fact, there are reports that the owner has filed for bankruptcy protection, leaving the Rankins in a difficult position.
The Rankins have been vocal about the impact of the scaffolding on their business. They have lost two patio seasons of revenue and are at risk of losing a third if the issue is not resolved soon. Customers have been misled by the appearance of the building, with many assuming that Obladee is closed for business.
To push for a resolution, the Rankins are calling on HRM to commit to completing the facade repairs and removing the scaffolding by June 21, 2025. They believe that community support and engagement can help pressure HRM to meet this deadline. Despite the simplicity of the construction job, HRM has not taken any steps to address the situation, much to the frustration of the Rankins.
The Rankins have made numerous attempts to communicate with HRM about the impact of the scaffolding on their business. They have emphasized the urgency of the situation and the need for prompt action. However, HRM has not provided any concrete answers or timelines for the completion of the work.
The Coast reached out to HRM for a response regarding the delayed construction work and the proposed deadline set by Obladee. As of now, no response has been received. The Rankins remain hopeful that their plea for assistance will be heard and that HRM will take the necessary steps to resolve the issue promptly.
