After a challenging few months, La Poche—the cozy downtown Guelph spot that feels like your second living room—is officially back in business. Following a flood that forced the shop to close on January 20, 2025, owner Matthew Forbes is reopening the space on April 2 for all services: co-working, hair appointments at Matthew’s Barber Shop, and evening socializing at the bar. Live music and events will be returning soon.

“It’s been a struggle being back in here,” Forbes admitted. “It was hard to open initially, and it was pulled away so quickly and violently. I can’t keep starting over again.”

The damage came from a broken sprinkler overhead, which caused the ceiling to collapse and unleashed a torrent of water across the entire space at 40 Quebec St. What once felt like an eclectic, homey hub for creatives and friends was suddenly reduced to an empty, soaked shell. Community members quickly rallied, rescuing furniture, instruments, and artwork in a race against the damage.

The physical cleanup was just the beginning. Navigating the insurance process and rebuilding was equally, if not more, exhausting. La Poche had only been open for seven months before disaster struck.

“What I thought would be a week or two of work turned into nine weeks,” said Forbes. “I feel betrayed by the system that is allegedly in place to help people.”

At 58 years old, Forbes poured his dreams into La Poche, and the idea of losing it was heartbreaking. In his first post-flood message on social media, he even joked about looking for a new job. But what came next surprised him.

“It didn’t even occur to me to ask for help, but now it’s getting easier,” he said. “I’m still in shock by how much people care.”

The community response was overwhelming. A crowdfunding campaign raised $18,740, while countless smaller donations, fundraising events, and gestures of support helped Forbes rebuild. Volunteers helped restore the space, with some of the original details—including a shattered chandelier—painstakingly put back together.

“It was all smashed and I glued it back together,” Forbes said. “I don’t want this to be erased from the experience.”

With new walls, restored features, and a fresh layout, La Poche now feels different in the best way.

“I didn’t love how everything was laid out on the walls last time, even though it was all me,” he reflected. “This time, others have had a hand in rebuilding it—and I really, really like that. The care people are taking means it’s no longer just mine. It feels like it belongs to everyone now.”

Support came from all corners. Forbes’ landlords and the downtown community stepped up in every way—from helping move and store items to bringing meals and offering kind words. During the closure, he continued cutting hair at Acqua on Wyndham St., and Miijidaa graciously stored his belongings in their basement. Other friends opened their spaces too, ensuring Forbes had the support he needed to keep going.

Now, with the lights back on and the space filled once again with warmth and purpose, La Poche is ready to welcome the community that helped save it.