SYDNEY, N.S. — A recent Sydney real estate transaction can be best be described as a beautiful thing.
Longtime family business Steve Lewis Auto Body has purchased the former Harvey’s Restaurant on Prince Street.
“We’ve been trying to buy it for 25 years,” said owner Steve Lewis.
Lewis said late last year they heard word that the restaurant was closing.
“We made a phone call and it just went from there,” he said. “We were happy about getting it, for sure.”
The Sydney restaurant closed Dec. 15, 2019. The deal to purchase the property was finalized at the end of December.
Steve Lewis Auto Body — a full service collision repair facility — is a 45-year family business that employs 30. It’s been located on Beech Street for the past 34 years. The property is located beside the former Harvey’s Restaurant. Harvey’s is on the corner of Prince Street and Beech Street. Lewis said they are still in the planning stages of exactly how they will utilize the building and property. In years gone by, ideas included an estimating station and offices.
“There’s lots of things we can do with it, we’re just not sure yet.”
The family has expanded their own buildings several times over the years. About 15 years ago, a piece was added and the office area was expanded and about four years ago another building was added to the service area. As far as the newly purchased building goes, there are a number of possibilities the family is looking into.
The Harvey’s building — about 2,500 sq. ft — will be renovated. Lewis said it’s in good shape and they’re happy with it.
“We’re not sure how it’s going to fit yet,” he said. “It will be encompassed somehow. We’re just glad to have it. It’s another step for the business.”
One thing that has changed is that the employees will no longer be able to walk next door for a hamburger or a coffee.
“Some of the guys missed that, for sure,” Lewis said.
Maureen Hart, the communications person for Recipe Unlimited, which owns the Harvey's brand, said this is a franchise and efforts have been underway for a new location within the Sydney area.
Hart said they would be opening in a new location as soon as possible.
When asked by email Thursday about a rumour concerning a possible site, Hart said there are no details that can be shared at this time.
“The team is working on it but cannot get into detail until the plan is firmed up,” she said.
Harvey's is a fast food restaurant chain that was founded in 1959 and operates in Canada, currently with 250 locations and 7,000 employees. The chain is owned by Recipe Unlimited, previously known as Cara Operation. In January 2018 Cara announced they would be taking over the Keg chain of 106 steakhouses, to add to its 1,259 restaurants across North America that include Swiss Chalet and Harvey’s. In May 2018, CEO Bill Gregson announced that Cara Operations Limited would be changing its name to Recipe Unlimited Corporation.
Recipe Unlimited Corporation has headquarters in Toronto and Vaughan, Ont. The corporation not only operates numerous restaurant chains but also provides major food distribution for correctional facilities, educational facilities and other large operations.
Harvey's is the second-largest Canadian-established restaurant chain in the country behind Tim Hortons, and the fourth-largest burger chain in Canada.
