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New owner to close Canoe Brewpub for major renovation

Canoe Brewpub will close on Oct. 18 for a major renovation as its new owner re-brands the business.

Canoe Brewpub will close on Oct. 18 for a major renovation as its new owner re-brands the business.

Calgary-based Craft Beer Market, which acquired the waterfront Swift Street ­operation from Victoria’s ­Truffles Group in January, said the renovation is expected to take four to six months, with a planned reopening in late winter or early spring.

Plans for the heritage City Lights building on the Inner Harbour include an open beer-hall concept, a games area and a major expansion and upgrade to the harbourfront patio. The ­contractor is Victoria-based Story Construction.

Craft Beer Market says it will have more than 100 draft taps featuring local and international beers, ciders and meads. The brewing facilities already in the building will remain and continue to produce local brews under the Craft Beer Market label.

Craft has nine locations in B.C., Alberta and Ontario. Truffles Group owner Don Calveley will retain ownership of the land, buildings and marinas and lease the ­restaurant, patio and brewpub space to Craft Beer Market.

“We are excited to reinvigorate the space to be a landmark destination within the community,” said PJ L’Heureux, founder and president of Craft. “There is a lot of history in the building, and we’re thankful for the support that the community has given Canoe over the years.”

Canoe remained in operation over the spring and summer while extensive architectural and design changes were reviewed.

Craft operates its flagship location in the historic Salt Building in Vancouver’s ­Olympic Village and has a ­location in ­Vancouver’s English Bay ­neighbourhood on Beach Drive.

Local brewer Matt Phillips of nearby Phillips Brewing on ­Government Street said he looks forward to welcoming the company “to the neighbourhood.”

“I’ve been enthusiastic about the approach that Craft takes to showcasing the brewers’ art since they opened 10 years ago,” he said. “It’s been an honour to be a partner of theirs as they have opened more locations in eastern and western Canada.”

dkloster@timescolonist.com