Original Pancake House on Pembina closes after 63 years
A restaurant that has been in operation in Winnipeg for 63 years is no more.
The Original Pancake House confirmed to CTV News that its location on the Pembina Highway has closed, and the land and building have been sold.
The restaurant has been running in its location since 1958.
"The building was not on the market, it was someone that knocked on our door and made us an offer and we mulled it over, and it just was the right decision at the right time," said Terry Friesen, the restaurant's operations manager.
Friesen said the staff will be offered positions at the other Pancake House locations in Winnipeg.
"I can't imagine there's ever another time that I have room in all my stores to move a whole store's worth of staff to the other stores, but, you know, that's part of the COVID labour situation right now. So that's really good for me to be able to go to my staff and say, 'Hey, I've got another job for you.'"
Later on Friday, Vic’s Fruit Market confirmed it has purchased the space. Owner Scott Schriemer said the plan is to build a larger store in the area.
“We're going to be a little bigger, but not so big that we can't be manageable,” he said. “We're going to still try to continue to have that local market feel in Fort Garry, Tuxedo, River Heights, servicing that area, and try to continue to do the things that we've always done well, and improve on that going forward."
He added, “Maybe have a little more offering in our product line, have a little more space, a little more room to move, a little bit better space to service customers, more of our own parking, so that we have to make the experience for everybody that much better.”
Schriemer said the current building will have to be demolished for his new business.
“It has served them well over the years, but everything at some point in time needs an upgrade. So that one will come down the new one will go up,” he said.
“All I can say is, for the residents of Winnipeg, look forward to a bigger, brighter, brand new Vic’s that is going to continue to serve the community for years to come.”
-With files from CTV's Jon Hendricks
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.