2 .. ¥lednesday, October 5, 1988 - Capilano Chronicle 40-YEAR-OLD LANDMARK Canyon Gardens to bid farewell CANYON GARDENS, Capilano’s most famous restaurant, is closing its doors to the public after 40 years. The landmark North Vancouver building, known for its wedding banquets and weekend dining and dancing, where customers jived to the music of live bands, has been sold to Sundel Ventures Ltd. of Delta. Canyon Gardens serves an average of 2,000 people for Christmas brunch and dinner, and as of last week has . hosted 6,095 weddings. Sunde! plans to turn the site into an 82-unit apartment complex ear- ly next year. Canyon Gardens will be remembered as a first-class restau- rant and banquet hall, a rustic, wooden structure built on 4.9 acres of forest in the heart of Capilano. It was the first restaurant on the North Shore to offer Sunday brunch and has served. 300,000 since. It is the place where locals gather for Christmas and to cele- brate Mother's Day. Owner and North Shore resident Ray Marinakis, who has spent close to $1 million in renovations since he bought the restaurant in 1967, is sad to see Canyon Gardens go. But the enormous cost of overhead has forced him to sell. “‘Land taxes used to be $2,500. Now they’re close to $40,000,"" he said, adding that his utility bill has also increased from $300 21 years ago to $3,000 today. ‘‘You can’t survive, you can just make wages.”” Marinakis bought Canyon Gardens from its original owner — Mrs. Hill from Sweden — who built the restaurant in 1948. He paid $250,000 for a small, 40-seat coffee shop and 4.9 acres of land. Today, he is selling the 750-seat restaurant and banquet room for 2 cool $4 million. The restaurant business was not new to Marinakis when he pur- chased Canyon Gardens. He bought his first restaurant in Van- couver’s west end 37 years ‘ago after moving to Vancouver from Greece. He bought the Sportsman Cafe on Dunsmuir Street in 1956 and turned it into one of Vancouver's first 24-hour restaurants. He saw great potential in the lit- tle coffee shop on Capilano Road and spent years turning it into a first-rate dining spot. He added a 100-seat banquet room, enlarged the dining room, added skylights, built a patio and, two years ago, .-‘ added a non-smoking addition to ; ; the dining room. oe The renovations paid. off, wit! Canyon Gardens serving ‘an average of 2,000 people -for Christmas brunch and dinner, and as of last week hosting 6,095 wed- ding banquets. re "‘My policy has been since 1978 to open 365 days a week including Christmas,’’ says Marinakis, who increased his staff from 25 to 35 full-time workers in 20 years. Customers from the likes of former prime minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau to movie actor Julie Christie have dined in Canyon Gardens. ‘‘We've hosted political meetings and three “movies have been filmed here,’’ adds Marinakis, who hopes to open another restaurant near Capilano Coliege in the District of North Vancouver. Valentine’s Day will be the “1st dinner Canyon Gardens will serve before construction on the new development begins. CANADA SPS. THE 1988/89 ISSUE OFFERS: : - Safety Canada Income interest - guaranteed by the Government of - a guaranteed minimum annual rate of Liquidity - easily cashed for face value (plus accrued interest after January 31, 1989) BURNS FRY investor SERVICES OFFERS: Easy purchase or redemption of CSBs by telephone Delivery by certified mail. Information on_ all current and outstanding CSB issues. No commission charges. Stephen J.A. Burk, B-Comm. (604) 685-5181 For more information, call today. photo Mike Wakellold RAY MARINAKIS has hosted thousands of events at his Canyon Gardens restaurant since he opened it 40 years ago, The last dinner served at the restaurant, which was recently sold, will be on Valentine’s Day. ROSE UPHOLSTERY GRAND OPENING SPECIAL . 15% OFF Until Oct - 31 - 88 * Boat Tops + Interior * All Types of Furniture * Automotive + Interior * Convertible Tops + Vinyl Roof =. * Re Upholstering FREE Pick up, Delivery ° & Estimates 983-2281 25 Years Exporionce ° . High Quality Workmanship “