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
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
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.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.