The former Bears Den restaurant will soon be replaced by a new local dining option, Flores & Pine – complete with a new patio space – thanks to a decision from Rocky View County (RVC) council at a regular meeting May 14.
“We’re trying to do something from the community, for the community,” said Mahyar Khosravi, part of Flores & Pine's ownership group. “The entire intent of the restaurant is to provide a place in the area for the community to use, so we’re revitalizing the restaurant.”
Council unanimously approved a site-specific amendment to a direct control bylaw allowing for the development of a patio and accessory building at the building's site in the Bearspaw area.
“The intended patio is proposed to be added to the entranceway area of the existing restaurant structure,” said planner Jessica Anderson.
According to Anderson, the existing direct control bylaw was adopted in 2001 and was intended to provide for a restaurant but did not allow for a patio or accessory buildings, which are typically provided for in most business, highway business and commercial districts.
The Bears Den closed its doors at the end of January 2018. According to a message posted on its website, “economic conditions in the industry, including the continuing poor business environment along with recent changes in the minimum wage and statutory holiday pay requirement” resulted in “conditions that [were] unsustainable” to keep the restaurant open.
According to Maria Martiniello, business development and event sales manager for Flores & Pine, the restaurant is scheduled to open in July.
