ANOTHER PART of the Skeena Landing development has opened with the aim of attracting visitors and residents looking for a night or weekend away from home.
The new Lodge at Skeena Landing includes a 10-room hotel, conference room and the restaurant Blackstone’s, which is being run by James Cordeiro.
Cordeiro has previously co-owned and prepared food for local restaurant and coffee shop Villa 46 and Elephant’s Ear Bistro, and was approached to run the businesses by Skeena Landing owner Glen Saunders.
Saunders had a hand in the revitalization of Cow Bay in Prince Rupert, and has had the Cow Bay Gift Gallery there for nearly two decades. He opened the Yellow House here 20 years ago, which he relocated to Skeena Landing late last year and renamed the Flying Fish, and has another store in Nanaimo called the Flying Fish.
Saunders has had his eye on the old Motz industrial plaza for years, located at the southeast corner of the four-way stop of Hwy 16 and Hwy 37.
He’s renovated the structures and is looking to turn the area into a place for people to shop, work, eat and sleep, saying he wants it to draw locals and tourists in like Cow Bay does in Prince Rupert.
The Lodge is the latest addition to Saunders’ village plaza vision. It will also be offering spa amenities with Judith Jackson.
Blackstone’s, Cordeiro said, will serve contemporary, West Coast food.
The Lodge opened its doors at the end of January, and a grand opening is scheduled to take place in the spring.