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Posted on
August 25, 2011
by
Rob Campbell
Well… we have been “kidless” around our house for the last few days, so the wife and I have been enjoying some romantic nights out. My good friend Jared Kichula and his stunning wife Aja have just returned from their honeymoon, so they invited us to join them for dinner at their wonderful restaurant La Vita e Bella, in the historic Dafoe Terrace Building in Victoria Park.
La Vita e Bella has been a labor of love for Jared and Aja, and it shows in every aspect of this warm and s...
Posted on
July 25, 2011
by
Rob Campbell
Well this is a first for me. A client texted me yesterday to let me know that he was sorry that the café in Canmore that he was considering buying had “ditched”. Unsure of what he meant, I called to ask. He informed me that a family member who lives in Canmore was told that the owners of the restaurant had done a “midnight move” and stripped the place bare. Not only that, but they had left a DEAD horse on the front lawn!
Not that I didn’t believe him or his kin,...
Posted on
March 6, 2011
by
Rob Campbell
Can I use the word “WOP” without offending my many Italian friends? Well…. in this case I don’t have a choice and if I offend you with the reference, then go down to 1216 - 9th Ave SE, walk upstairs and tell Executive Chef Angelo Contrada and his business partner Jesse Johnson how you feel. But while you’re there..... try the pizza!!
This is the latest homerun from the duo that brought us Sugo in 2001. WOP is located right next door to Sugo in the old Nectar Desserts...
Posted on
October 1, 2010
by
Rob Campbell
I just want to take a minute to thank the Alefantis Brothers of The Broken Plate Group of Restaurants for the invite to last Saturday's inaugural Greek Poker Tourny. All of the profits went to benefit the Calgary Hellenic Society's Special Projects Fund.
Now... being a poker virgin, I was a little hesitant to sit down at the tables. But after hearing that the 4th place player had never played before, and had a set of rules in his pocket, I am bound and determined to play next time!
The cast of characters...
Posted on
May 27, 2010
by
Rob Campbell
Doing our best to get in a little "no kids/date time" last week, my wife and I managed to escape for a few hours and enjoy some patio time on Stephen Ave. With the weather as warm as it was, the patios were packed, but we were glad to get a space at Divino's. We enjoyed a number of appetizer plates (the House Made Rabbit Sausage was outstanding!), and a great bottle of wine (2007 Robert Weil Riesling). Our server Brett was very well versed on the menu and wine list and made the evening.
While we were...
Posted on
March 8, 2010
by
Rob Campbell
Well it was another reason to hire a babysitter and explore the Calgary food scene, my lovely wife's birthday! When our close friends Oliver and Meg Malana (Oliver is the GM of Canadian Linen here in Calgary) heard the reason for the proposed night out, they quickly called one of Oliver's accounts and made reservations. This was my first visit to Il Sogno, so the anticipation was high to sample the culinary artistry I had heard so much about.
We arrived a few minutes early and were greeted with a...
Posted on
November 11, 2009
by
Rob Campbell
It was an amazing night of music, food and friendship at the University of Calgary Theatre on Monday night as the AHEPA Family, The Broken Plate Restaurants and the Alefantis Family sponsored an evening of music to benefit FARA and the search for a cure for Friedreich's Ataxia. This debilitating disease has recently touched the Greek community in Calgary and they rallied to raise as much money as possible to aid in researching a treatment and hopefully a cure. Dana and I were very grateful to be invited...
Posted on
November 1, 2009
by
Rob Campbell
Got an email this morning from my buddy Rob Hilditch of the Joey's Only group of companies, telling me he is growing a moustache (Texas handlebar with a soul patch I was later informed) to raise money for Prostate Cancer research. So after I stopped shaking with laughter and found my Blackberry on the floorboard of my truck, (all the while trying not to drive off the road) I fired up the laptop and donated $50 bucks to this physically impossible, yet very good cause on behalf of Rob's efforts.
Now...
Posted on
October 14, 2009
by
Rob Campbell
On Saturday night I met some friends at 1600 World Bier Haus, in the Glenmore Landing Shopping Centre at 90th Ave and 14thStreet SW, to celebrate a birthday. Now, it was a short notice kinda thing, so when it was put together, I got a call asking if there was anyway I might be able to help out with getting us a table. (I know a couple of people in the restaurant and pub biz I guess was the rationale for the call, LOL)
Well... I sheepishly called my good friend George Haralabakos to...
Posted on
October 4, 2009
by
Rob Campbell
Once again, Twitter has lead me to another unique find, a Blog by a local Calgary foodie!
If you are into eatin', loungin' or just plain hangin out, this is a great look at the Calgary food scene from the eyes of a local lover of food and traveler. Take a minute and scroll through the tastes and textures of ugonnaeatthat.com. I enjoyed it, and I know you will too!
Cheers!
Suggested Blog Articles Here is a new listing that I am happy to post in Calgary. Rare opportunity to acquire an established quick-service restaurant operating from a high-traffic shopping centre food court. This compact and efficient 413 sq. ft. operation serves fresh, made-to-order food and benefits from the steady customer traffic, convenient parking and extensive common-area seating that come with a major retail environment.
The business has a proven sales history, reporting good annual gross sales. The operation is currently staffed with three full-time hourly employees and two part-time employees, providing an established structure for a new owner to step into.
The restaurant is designed around a streamlined food court service model, with meals prepared fresh in front of the customer. Its small footprint helps maximize the productivity of the space while the surrounding shopping centre provides significant customer seating and ample parking without the operator having to maintain a separate dining room.
The current lease has approximately three years remaining with an additional five-year option available, providing a purchaser with the opportunity for longer-term occupancy.
This is a strong opportunity for an owner/operator or experienced food-service buyer looking for an established business with solid historical sales, manageable staffing requirements and the built-in traffic of a busy retail setting.
Confidentiality is required. Please do not approach or speak with staff or ownership directly. Additional information will be provided to qualified purchasers through the listing agent.  Here is a new listing that I am happy to post in Calgary. Established Food Court QSR Restaurant For Sale in the Calgary Area
Excellent opportunity to acquire an established quick service restaurant located in the food court of a busy, well established shopping centre in the Calgary area.
This location benefits from strong year round customer traffic generated by the surrounding mix of retail, entertainment and service businesses. As a food court location, the restaurant enjoys built in customer flow throughout the day, with increased activity during weekends, holidays and peak shopping periods.
The space is already fully built out and equipped for quick service food operations, giving a purchaser the opportunity to take over an existing restaurant location without the significant time and expense typically associated with developing a new food service space from scratch.
One of the strongest features of this opportunity is the flexibility it offers. A purchaser may be able to continue operating the existing concept, or potentially rebrand the location and introduce a completely different food concept, subject to landlord approval and applicable lease requirements.
This could be an excellent fit for an independent operator, an established restaurant group looking to expand, or another food service brand looking for a presence in a high traffic food court environment.
With an established buildout, strong surrounding customer traffic and the ability to bring a new concept to the space, this is a versatile opportunity for the right buyer.
Confidentiality agreement required prior to the release of the business name, exact location, lease information and financial details.  Here is a new listing that I am happy to post in 319 11 AVENUE NE in Calgary. This is one of those inner city properties where the value is not just in the house, but in the options that come with it.
Located in the heart of Crescent Heights, this well kept bungalow offers the opportunity to move in and enjoy it as it is today, hold the property as a long term investment, or explore the redevelopment potential of the site in the future.
The home offers approximately 723 sq. ft. above grade with two bedrooms and a bright, comfortable main floor. A spacious living room opens into the dining area and renovated kitchen, with large windows bringing in plenty of natural light. The lower level adds a large recreation room, 3 piece bathroom, laundry and plenty of storage, giving the home considerably more usable space than the above grade square footage might suggest.
Outside, the fully fenced and landscaped backyard provides a great private outdoor space, while the single detached garage, covered parking and additional stalls provide parking for up to five vehicles something that is increasingly difficult to find this close to downtown.
What really sets this property apart is the land and location. Situated on an approximately 4,499 sq. ft. lot with roughly 37.5 feet of frontage and M-CG d72 zoning, the property offers interesting future redevelopment potential, subject to City approval. Crescent Heights continues to see older properties replaced with contemporary infill, townhome and multi residential development, including redevelopment already taking place along 11 Ave and throughout the surrounding neighbourhood.
That makes this a property you can actually use today while keeping an eye on tomorrow. Live in the bungalow, renovate it further, hold it as an investment, or investigate a future redevelopment project when the timing is right.
The location is hard to beat. You are just off Edmonton Trail and minutes from downtown, with quick access to Centre Street, Bridgeland, SAIT, transit, schools, parks, pathways and some of Calgary's best independent restaurants, cafés and neighbourhood businesses. The Bow River pathway system and downtown core are also close by, giving this location the walkability and accessibility that continues to drive demand for inner city living.
A solid home today, valuable inner city land underneath it, and several possibilities for the future this is a property worth taking a closer look at. |
