There is an interesting story on the Star's website this morning about Capitain John's going up for sale (pasted below). I was under the (perhaps mistaken) impression that Capital John's would be forced out of the current location once Pier 27 was completed and the public promenade down the Westerrn edge of the development, alongside Yonge quay, became operational. Now that work has commenced driving piles for Pier 27, I would imagine that we're only about two years away from this occurring. Was I mistaken? Would Waterfrtont Toronto really allow Captain John's to stay? Do they lack the legal power to force them to find a new pier? It seems to me that a sale wouldn't really be practical if the restaurant was facing imminent eviction.
Toronto Star
December 22, 2009
Noor Javed
In an ideal world, Captain John Letnik's retirement would involve simply pulling up anchor, starting the motor and steering into the sunset aboard the M.S. Jadran, the cruise-ship-turned-restaurant that has been a fixture on the city's lakeshore for decades.
But for Letnik, owner of Captain John's restaurant at the foot of Yonge St., the reality is more grounded. After lengthy deliberations, Letnik has put his prized ship up for sale for $1.5 million. The online listing seeks someone willing to buy "one of Toronto's historic icons" – and then some.
"The boat needs a little bit of upgrading. And it needs younger blood," said Letnik, 72, sitting in the dining hall of his ship.
"More than half the ship is still empty. There is a lot of potential here for a young person," he said. "They can make it into a hotel, a lounge, or even a casino. We need more attraction down here."
After nearly 40 years, it took months of pondering for Letnik to let go of the boat that became a major tourist attraction in the city.
"It was a difficult decision because this is my life," he said. "But you have to be realistic. I don't have anyone to carry it on."
Letnik first opened the floating restaurant in 1969 on a defunct island ferry called the S.S. Normac. In 1981, the ferry sank after being struck by the municipally owned Trillium ferry. He sought damages from the city and was compensated.
Letnik had bought the M.S. Jadran, a former Adriatic cruise ship, from the Yugoslav government for $1 million and sailed it to Toronto in 1975 with 16 crew members. When the Normac sank, he reopened the restaurant on the new ship.
There were times years ago, Letnik recalled, when the lineup for a seat for lunch or dinner was out the door. These days, empty tables are plentiful. Patrons are harder to come by.
His tax battle with the city is also ongoing. Earlier this year, Letnik's lawyers argued the ship didn't rest on a foundation and couldn't be assessed. A judge ruled that since the ship had been moored to the shore since 1975, it could be taxed. Letnik attempted to appeal the ruling, but was denied. He plans to meet with assessment officials early next year.
Despite such woes, Letnik is in no rush to sell. The restaurant is still open and going forth with weddings booked for next summer.
"It's not going to be an overnight sale. It's going to be a while to find a proper person. Because it's a ship, it's not a building.
"They have to know how to look after it."
The city should just tell them to anchor somewhere else.
