City looks for new tenant to fill vacant building on the Esplanade Riel

Winnipeg – City staff are putting out a call to residents, looking for a new tenant to fill the vacant building on the Esplanade Riel.

In early February, restaurant owners of Chez Sophie announced the eatery wasn’t making money and closed.

Now, city staff are looking for a new company to take over, but this time they are opening up ideas to more then just restaurants.

St.Vital councillor Brian Mayes says there has been at least one new idea submitted.

“We’re certainly open to ideas. Its set up of restaurant now but maybe there is someone with a better idea, an ice cream shop, a bike shop, if you can make it work, we’re certainly open to ideas,” Mayes explained.  Adding, “We got a month to take a business plan and the city will look at it.”

Tours at the vacant building will take place March 16th and 17th.  Residents can submit their business plan to the city by March 31st.

Mayes says they are hoping by the summer, a new business will take over the empty space.