For as long as most of us can remember, there’s been a white building with a massive parking lot just sitting there, in a prime location on the water, in Quidi Vidi. It’s the one beside The Plantation and across from The Inn of Olde.
It used to be The Flake House Restaurant, but union issues shuttered it up in the 1990s. Members of the Bursey family used the space in various food-service capacities up until 2007. The last rumours for something new moving in there surfaced in 2014, when the City of St. John’s contemplated buying it for elusive reasons.
“What a waste” has been a collective city sentiment … until now. That old white building will likely be firing up its ovens again, this time with Mallard Cottage’s Todd Perrin at the helms. Mallard Cottage, who have gained momentum as one of the best restaurants in Canada, are working through the final stages of taking over the property with a “responsible development” plan.
There’s unconfirmed rumblings of a catering service, and levelling the existing building to erect a two-storey space. There’s not much to report at the moment, other than the deal nearing closing.
Isn’t the big issue with that place the crumbling dock underneath it? Last I heard whoever occupies the space will have to spend a ton of money in repair and deal with Environment Canada to get it up to code, as it sits right next to the ocean. When water gets involved, things get tangly fast. I hope it works out for them.
There’s definitely been reports of issues on the property — its owner and the City have had a dispute or two over who ought to address it/them. And yes, here’s hoping!