THUNDER BAY – A Go Fund Me page has been set up as an attempt to help save the Hoito Restaurant.
The $25,000 campaign was started in wake of news the Finlandia Association, which owns the 110-year-old Finnish Labour Temple that houses the iconic restaurant, is entering into liquidation.
The Association cited more than $1 million in debt, combined with RBC's decision not to defer a biweekly mortgage payment of almost $2,000, for the decision, which was voted on at an online board meeting on Wednesday night.
Lyndsay Williams started the Go Fund Me on Friday.
“The Hoito is a place near and dear to my heart. Some of my fondest memories include eating at the Hoito with my Nonna. Now that Covid-19 has affected many local businesses the Hoito will be closing after over 100 years of business,” Williams said, explaining the reasoning behind the fundraiser.
“The Hoito is an integral part of the Thunder Bay experience and can truly never be replaced. Knowing that the Hoito may never recover from the effects of Covid-19 is heartbreaking for me and my family, as well as many other Thunder Bay locals. Please help in any way you can.
The page can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-the-hoito.
