Seems as if it’s curtains for B Merwan & Co at Grant Road. Regulars of the iconic Irani cafe were surprised to find the 112-year-old popular eatery, started by Boman Merwan opposite Grant Road railway station, had shuttered last weekend. With only a notice to announce that the cafe is now shut.
A notice that was put up on the door of the establishment. Pic/Viraf Langrana, Old Bombay on Facebook
In 2014, mid-day had reported when the cafe had come close to shutting down, only to reopen after ‘repairs’. However, this time we fear it might be for real. When we reached out to members of the close-knit community of Parsi-Irani cafe owners, they had only heard of the news as it spread through loyal patrons.
Several shared that it marks the end of an era for the city’s Irani cafe culture. The fraternity and Mumbai will be poorer, no doubt. Foodies will rue not being able to eat their mava cakes and bun-maska-chai one last time.