Flooding from water main break closes several Princess St businesses

Part of Princess St Promenade festivities were interrupted on Saturday when a large water-main broke on Princess St between Division St and Barrie St.

Utilities Kingston and Kingston Fire & Rescue responded to reports of large volumes of gushing water coming from the basements of several businesses in the area at around 11:30 a.m.

Among the affected businesses, Tommy’s Restaurant, Brian’s Record Option and Pita Grill & Poutine were confirmed to have incurred significant damage from the flooding.

Connie Black, partner of Brian’s Record Option owner Brian Lipsin, said that at one point the water in the store had been waist-deep and that damage was extensive. While the business carries insurance, much of the store’s inventory is vintage in nature and virtually irreplaceable. Lipsin stated that the store would remain closed for an unknown period of time and the future of the store remains unknown.

While Princess St had very recently undergone significant infrastructure work in the area near the flooding, it remains unknown whether the break occurred in a newly-replaced area of the water-main or in another section.

By 1:30 p.m. the water had been shut off to the area and cleanup had begun. Total damage costs to businesses and infrastructure are not yet known.