The owners of the Dancing Moose Caf茅 and Bayside Bed and Breakfast are packing it in after 14 years of business.
Debbie and John Doody are in the final stages of closing the transaction of the Old Town establishments and property, which sold for a bit less than the $1.5 million they had originally asked for.
Though the businesses have been for sale for about 18 months, John said it was hard to find a buyer who was the right fit.
SA国际影视传媒淭he buyer is a real estate entrepreneur. He has restaurateurs who are going to rent the restaurant. The restaurant sadly wonSA国际影视传媒檛 continue as Dancing Moose. ItSA国际影视传媒檒l have a new name,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
John asked that the buyerSA国际影视传媒檚 name not be disclosed until the sale concludes.
The paperwork for the sale is heading towards its final closure, but John said he and his wife just might make it to the 10-year mark since they opened the Dancing Moose, about four years after they bought Bayside.
SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檝e been operating the restaurant as of the May long weekend (of 2011). It would be 10 years.SA国际影视传媒�
The previous owners of the two businesses were Mary and Wayne Bryant, who operated Bayside and MarySA国际影视传媒檚 Tea Room since 1997.
When the DoodySA国际影视传媒檚 took over in 2007, the physical layout of the building was different and the area that eventually became the Dancing Moose wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 in the same form.
SA国际影视传媒淲e reconfigured it significantly,SA国际影视传媒� said John. SA国际影视传媒�(Mary) didnSA国际影视传媒檛 have commercial equipment for the kitchen. It wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 adequate for a restaurant. We had to change that all around. It was exciting to start up the Dancing Moose.SA国际影视传媒�
Looking back at their 14 years of owning the businesses, John remembers it as a steadily enjoyable experience.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 been a good run. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 been very interesting. The caf茅 has been great. WeSA国际影视传媒檝e appreciated the local community and the support over the years. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 a happy and sad reality to leave Yellowknife.SA国际影视传媒�
Debbie said a highlight was watching the brand grow, seeing regular customers and serving them their popular cinnamon buns.
The long hours they logged were challenging, but that came with the job, Debbie said.
Like almost all businesses in the hospitality industry, the COVID-19 pandemic dealt a heavy blow to Bayside, taking away almost tourist bookings since March of 2020.
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Dancing Moose experienced a less drastic reduction in business and baking specialty cakes helped bring in some revenue.
If all goes according to plan, they will depart Yellowknife by the end of May and head to a countryside acreage southwest of Red Deer, Alta. where they plan to do some farming.
The explosion of COVID-19 cases in the southern province doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 faze them since they will be living in a rural area, Debbie said.
Over the years, several Canadian celebrities and dignitaries have visited the Bayside, Tea Room and Dancing Moose.
The DoodySA国际影视传媒檚 hosted snow birds pilots, former NWT premier Floyd Roland, MP Michael McLeod and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who held his pre-election party at the caf茅 in 2015.
Before 2007, guests for afternoon tea included former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson and academic John Ralston; the late Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip; and Patrick Roach and the late John Dunsworth from the TV show Trailer Park Boys.
