In 1870, Andrew Gage sold the property to William Kerns who went on to be elected to the Provincial Legislature as a representative of Halton County. In 1915 Kerns sold his holdings to Harold Lazier.
While under the ownership of Lazier, George and Emma Byrens opened the Estaminet Standard Hotel on the property. It is believed that the Estaminet Hotel was adapted from Andrew Gage’s home, making it one of Burlington’s oldest buildings. The hotel featured Georgian era architecture and was a three bay front, frame structure. While the Byren’s restaurant initially opened with a mere four tables, it quickly grew into a bustling enterprise. In 1930 Emma Byrens purchased the property at 2084 Old Lakeshore Road (then known as Water Street) from Lazier of which she retained ownership of until her retirement in 1952. Emma Byrens sold the hotel to Reginald Cooper following her retirement and Cooper continued to operate the eatery until 1963.
2284 Lakeshore Road 2014In 1963 Reginald Cooper sold the restaurant to his son Brian who continued to operate it under the Estaminet name. Billed as ‘Canada’s House of Hospitality’, the Estaminet hosted such guests as: Louis St. Laurent, Lester B. Pearson, John Diefenbaker, Barbara Ann Scott, Louis Armstong, Jackie Robinson, Mickey Mantle and Liberace.
Functioning as a restaurant continuously since 1919, the Estaminet continues operate as such today, albeit under a new name. The Estaminet has been renamed the Water Street Cooker and Emma’s Backporch, the latter of which is in commemoration of the first owner and operator of the Estaminet.
