THUNDER BAY — A new owner will re-purpose the historic Scand Restaurant on South Algoma Street.
The Scandinavian Home Society has sold the property to a numbered Ontario corporation.
It will renovate the building to accommodate a medical practice.
The society established a restaurant at the site more than 90 years ago.
For about three years, a local businesswoman operated "the Scand" under a lease agreement, but she closed the restaurant this summer.
David Heroux, a director of the society, says "the entire board was disappointed that the legacy wasn't going to be allowed to continue."
Heroux, added, however, that they are glad to see that the building, with its new use, will still add value to the historic Bay and Algoma area.
He said most of the society's members realize how difficult it was to stay competitive as a restaurant.
"It's had a good run. Now it's time to end this chapter and start something else."
The cash from the sale of the building, Heroux said, will provide new opportunities.
"We'll be able to look at scholarships for bringing in students from the Scandinavian countries. We'll be able to look at different programs that we weren't able to do because of the focus on the restaurant."
