VILLA 46 on Lakelse Ave. has closed its door for business – its last night of service was on Aug. 19.
Restaurant owner Lance Dettwiler says he decided not to renew his lease, and has closed the restaurant just two weeks shy of its opening date two years ago.
Dettwiler said he had opened the restaurant with the wish to bring a little bit of downtown Vancouver to Terrace.
“It’s kind of sad,” he said, explaining he had really wanted Terrace to have a Gastown style restaurant.
However, Dettwiler now plans to divert all of his time and energy to his other business, the Elephant’s Ear, which is located just across the street from Villa 46.
Dettwiler intends to bring some
of what Villa 46 had to offer, by
bringing over some menu items, and trying to create more of a dinner atmosphere at the Elephants Ear, changing it from a coffee shop to more of a bistro.
He will be continuing to bring in bands, and plans to add more seating, a fireplace and possibly beer on tap.
“[It will be] more of a true bistro,” Dettwiler said.
He will also be adding to the breakfast menu.
As a father of two children Dettwiler says part of his decision was an effort to free-up more time with his family.
He said financially Villa 46 was doing fine, he is just looking forward to being under one roof instead of running back and forth between the two businesses.
He says he wants to bolster local economy by encouraging people to spend their money in town.
“The selection is better out of town, but we would have more selection in town if more money was spent in town,” Dettwiler said.
“We can’t rely on tourists and mines alone,” he continued, saying people here have to spend their money
locally to keep the economy going.
