The Breakwater Taphouse will not reopen in a new location after it closes its doors on the waterfront for the final time next month.
The pub is located on the second floor of the former CN Station at Prince Arthur’s Landing. The station is owned by the city and the Breakwater Taphouse has always understood that its lease with the Resolve Group would come to an end.
Owner Kerry Berlinquette said despite knowing their existence would be short-term, nothing would have changed her decision to open the waterfront business when she did.
“If you look out the window the answer is there,” Berlinquette said.
“The space in my opinion is the best space in the entire city. When you have the opportunity like this to open a place where you can sit and look out on the world’s largest freshwater lake -- well you just can’t say no to that.”
Berlinquette added that the only reason they opened was because of that particular spot.
Breakwater Taphouse opened in September 2014. Berlinquette wanted to bring something new to Thunder Bay and she created a relaxing place to educate people about beer.
The Breakwater team spent two years introducing residents to different types of craft beer and they feel as though they’ve made an impact.
“We feel that we’ve reached our goals that we’ve set for ourselves and it’s time to move onto our next project whatever that may be.”
The pub was designed to be the place where people started the night because it wasn’t open late, the marketing aimed at starting the night’s journey at Breakwater and working your way downtown.
Berlinquette and her crew had the phrase never forget where your voyage started painted on the wall to serve as the pub’s slogan.
“Whenever I look at (the slogan) never forget where your voyage started, I know … the voyage never ends,” Berlinquette said.
“Our voyage isn’t over we are going to keep going and hope that everybody who took this voyage with us will come along as well.”
She added that her favourite part about the whole experience was the people she worked with and the customers.
Breakwater server Jeremy Landon said there’s a lot of sadness in the building with both employees and customers.
“There’s sadness overall. A lot of people have grown to love this place,” Landon said.
“We took advantage of it while it was here and everybody understands that and is happy for us.”
The server added that he would have never have met a lot of his best friends if it weren’t for the taphouse. He is sad to think about the fact that he won’t get to see them every day.
This is just a small chapter in Landon’s life and he is excited to see what’s next.
“There’s still seven weeks left, so it’s going to be something we take advantage of and push really hard to attract more people to have a blast with us this summer.”
