Tofino restaurant destroyed by fire to reopen at nearby resort
A popular Tofino, B.C., restaurant that was destroyed by fire shortly before Christmas is poised to open at a new location in the comings weeks.
Shelter restaurant was engulfed in an overnight fire on Dec. 22. The Campbell Street eatery had been a staple in the community for 20 years when it was gutted by one of the largest fires in recent memory in the community.
No one was injured in the blaze, which is still under investigation Wednesday, according to Tofino's deputy fire chief Emily Coombs.
The restaurant's ownership has signed a lease agreement with the nearby Tofino Resort and Marina, where it plans to open a "revitalized food and beverage facility" in the former 1909 Kitchen and Bar location early this spring, according to a statement from the resort.
A spokesperson for the Tofino Resort and Marina confirmed Wednesday that the restaurant will open under the Shelter name and the move to the new location will be permanent.
1909 KITCHEN AND BAR CLOSED, STAFF TERMINATED
1909 Kitchen and Bar was slated to reopen after its seasonal closure on Feb. 8. However, the restaurant will now remain closed indefinitely.
Former staff of 1909 Kitchen and Bar who spoke with CTV News on Wednesday say they were summoned to an emergency all-staff meeting on Monday where they were told their employment had ended due to the Shelter takeover.
The resort says all employees who were let go will receive full severance pay and will be allowed to remain in their complimentary staff accommodations until Feb. 18, at which point they can pay to stay until the end of March, when they will have to vacate.
The resort declined to say how many restaurant workers were affected by the loss of employment and housing. Staff who spoke to CTV News estimated up to 25 employees had lost their jobs, all but a handful of whom currently live in staff accommodations.
"All former 1909 Kitchen and Bar employees have been invited to apply to Shelter Group who are looking to fill a range of immediate roles," the resort said.
Guests with reservations at the former 1909 Kitchen and Bar will be contacted about cancellations, according to the resort.
'STILL IN THE PLANNING STAGES'
Shelter restaurant general manager Karen Debi confirmed the move to the new location Wednesday, and said the transition to the new space will take considerable time.
"Since the fire we’ve been working hard to figure out the next steps for Shelter and our team," Debi said in an emailed statement.
"This doesn’t mean Shelter as we knew it will be up and running tomorrow, but over time we’ll be able to create a new and evolved Shelter," she added. "Currently, we’re still in the planning stages and don’t have concrete dates on our opening."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
3 Indian nationals accused of murdering Hardeep Singh Nijjar facing court in B.C.
Three Indian nationals accused of murdering Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar are due to face court Tuesday over the killing that triggered a major diplomatic rift with India.
Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife's edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.