Celebrity gawkers hoping to catch a glimpse of the stars at the trendy eatery Sassafraz as the Toronto International Film Festival kicks off will have to flock elsewhere with their binoculars and cameras.
The owners of the longtime celeb hangout that was gutted by fire last December say their builder will be finished construction this week.
But with city approvals still pending, the canary-coloured landmark in the tony Yorkville district won't be back in business in time for the first day of the festival on Thursday.
"While we had hoped that might happen in time for the opening of this year's film festival, the goal has always been to make sure that we open correctly,'' owners/brothers Zoran and Vasko Kocovski said in a release Wednesday.
Sassafraz has undergone an "extensive redesign'' since flames, ignited by an ember from an overflowing grease trap, tore through the famed building that was erected in the early 1900s.
The hipster hangout has seen countless stars walk through its doors, especially during the film festival, including Russell Crowe, Bono and Sylvester Stallone.
- Canadian Press
