THUNDER BAY — Niva's Restaurant, well-known for its Finnish pancakes and homestyle cooking, is on the market.
Owner Vicki Niva is looking for a buyer so she can step aside "and slow things down a little bit" for herself.
She's operated the popular eatery on Lisgar Street, off Memorial Avenue, for over 13 years.
"I had a business plan, and my business plan was to retire within 10 to 15 years," Niva said in an interview Wednesday. "The business is good, so exit on a high. It seems like a good time to say goodbye."
The restaurant, which has enjoyed a large and loyal customer base since its inception, will remain open until it's sold.
Niva said although patrons are expressing disappointment in her decision to step aside, they're also telling her they understand "all good things come to an end sooner or later, and you can only push yourself so far."
She said the secret to operating a successful restaurant is to keep the staff happy, because that means they'll keep the customers happy.
Wendy Ferris of Century 21 Superior Realty is marketing the property with a list price of $1.75 million.
She said the restaurant is in impeccable condition and has an excellent, central location.
Ferris has had multiple inquiries since the listing went up a couple of weeks ago.
"It's a comfortable restaurant. It's a large restaurant. I don't foresee it having any kind of a hiccup when a new buyer takes it on," she said, adding that Niva is willing to stay on for awhile for training, and even to give out her recipes.
Ferris described it as a unique opportunity for someone to carry on with the legacy of a thriving business.
