Something brewing
Well-known Charlottetown café has been put up for sale
The owners of a popular downtown Charlottetown café have put the building up for sale.
Kaan and Gursal Ulkan closed the doors at Beanz Espresso Bar and Café on Great George Street in late September with plans to re-open sometime in April or May.
However, the building is now featured in the December issue of Redpath Realty Ltd. with an asking price of $969,000.
The commercial building features a restaurant and café on the main level as well as seven office tenants on the second floor.
“It’s been well known that the building and the business have been for sale for a while,’’ said Hamish Redpath, one of the realtors handling the potential sale.
“There is some interest, of course, but I can't talk about it.’’
Kaan Ulkan said even though he’s put the building and the business up for sale, he hasn’t ruled out re-opening as promised in the spring.
“Just wanted to see my options,’’ Ulkan said in a text message. “I have not decided anything yet.’’
Redpath said it is his understanding that if the building doesn’t sell, Ukan will reopen.
The Ulkans bought the business from Lori Kays and Doug Hurry two years ago. Lori and Doug had been a daily fixture at the restaurant since they opened it in 1995.
But, Ulkan said business had dropped in the two winters he and his wife and owned it, adding that he and Gursal also needed a break.
“We are tired, really tired,’’ Kaan said in an interview with The Guardian shortly after they closed for the winter.
“We discussed it and decided to close and re-open in April or May. We need to recharge our batteries.’’
The Ulkans moved to P.E.I. from Istanbul, Turkey, six years ago to raise a family.
Kaan tried to boost business by getting a liquor license, attempting, with the help of the outdoor deck, of creating an atmosphere similar to Victoria Row.
He even started having happy hour on Thursdays, offering customers some gourmet complimentary snacks. Kaan even talked about putting up a retractable roof over the patio to protect patrons from the elements.
Redpath said Lori and Doug set the bar pretty high.
“It is amazing what Lori and Doug did for (almost) 25 years and what they built,’’ Redpath said.
“I recognize what it has meant to the downtown community, how established it is and how important it is. Hopefully, we find the right people to take on the café and the building.’’