A popular Vancouver-area restaurant company is expanding by moving into the historic CPR Steamship Terminal building in Victoria and is aiming to start serving mid-2013.

Romer’s Waterfront Tap Room will feature more than 20 types of micro-brews, wine, coffee, bakery items, and a full service restaurant. It will be located in a 3,500-square-foot space and offer seasonal outdoor seating as well.

The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority has signed an agreement with Extra Mile Hospitality Group, representing Romer’s, a joint announcement said today. GVHA has leased the 1924 building at 470 Belleville St. from the Provincial Capital Commission and is seeking tenants for the space.

The first Romer’s opened in 2010 in Kitsilano. Extra Mile has more recently launched Romer’s Burger Bar and the Vancouver Urban Winery.

Romer’s was started by Wayne Holm, a member of the B.C. Restaurant Hall of Fame, known for his successful career in the food service industry, which included part-ownership in The Keg Steakhouse & Bar, co-founder of the Spectra Group of Great Restaurants, president of Cara’s restaurant group, and co-founder of Milestones.

Chef Jim Romer and restaurant entrepreneur Scott Ward, both part of the original Milestones development group, partnered with Holm to found Romer’s.

“We are excited about the opportunity to bring the energy and vision of today’s local farm-to-table movement to the Inner Harbour in a fun and approachable way,” Holm said in a statement.

Curtis Grad, GVHA president and chief executive officer, said, “Extra Mile’s fresh and innovative approach is the perfect fit for the Steamship Terminal.

“The flexible restaurant/coffee bar approach will optimize the use of space and appeal to both visitors and residents, morning, noon and night.”

Romer’s will bring an ambiance of comfortable elegance, he said.

So far, the building’s other confirmed tenant is the Bateman Foundation, now finishing its improvements. The foundation expects to open its doors in spring 2013.

Renovations to accommodate Romer’s will start in coming weeks on the level, accessible from the sidewalk level of Belleville Street.

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