Post by Northern Exploration on Dec 22, 2009 7:24:07 GMT -8
After more than 40 years in business, Captain John Letnik has decided to retire. He started with purchasing the former ferry, S.S. Normac and turning her into a floating restaurant called Captain John's. It was a cute little restaurant.
In the 80's, the iconic Toronto ferry the Trillium, sailed into the restaurant puncturing the hull and it sunk. Beyond reasonable repair they took compensation from the city. So you see the Horseshoe Bay incident into Sewells Marina by a ferry was only a copy cat manoever ;D.
Captain John had bought the MV Jadran a small cruise ship from the Yugoslav government in the 70's. Only about half the ship is currently in use as a restaurant. While eating on a ship is a great experience, the menu is decidedly old school, heavy on the deep fried. It isn't exactly full or on a gastronomic tour road map.
So for $1.5 million could be yours. For years the ship avoided some taxes but recently the city ruled that since it had been moored for so many years it was subject to property tax. I think if the ship was refurbished so it didn't smell so damp , and the menu upgraded, it would be a very interesting development opportunity. With separate dining rooms, one could easily be turned into a kid friendly restaurant that would be perfect for kids and birthday parties etc. It would also be the kind of venue that appeals to convention traffic and tourists. But the restaurant would have to do better to attract ongoing local support. the area is changing from former industrial into residential and businesses, with a major college building new facilities.
I still think the same would work well for Vancouver a la the former Seven Seas. The key to making these types of venues work is to have great food and not just rely on the setting alone.
In the 80's, the iconic Toronto ferry the Trillium, sailed into the restaurant puncturing the hull and it sunk. Beyond reasonable repair they took compensation from the city. So you see the Horseshoe Bay incident into Sewells Marina by a ferry was only a copy cat manoever ;D.
Captain John had bought the MV Jadran a small cruise ship from the Yugoslav government in the 70's. Only about half the ship is currently in use as a restaurant. While eating on a ship is a great experience, the menu is decidedly old school, heavy on the deep fried. It isn't exactly full or on a gastronomic tour road map.
So for $1.5 million could be yours. For years the ship avoided some taxes but recently the city ruled that since it had been moored for so many years it was subject to property tax. I think if the ship was refurbished so it didn't smell so damp , and the menu upgraded, it would be a very interesting development opportunity. With separate dining rooms, one could easily be turned into a kid friendly restaurant that would be perfect for kids and birthday parties etc. It would also be the kind of venue that appeals to convention traffic and tourists. But the restaurant would have to do better to attract ongoing local support. the area is changing from former industrial into residential and businesses, with a major college building new facilities.
I still think the same would work well for Vancouver a la the former Seven Seas. The key to making these types of venues work is to have great food and not just rely on the setting alone.