Murphy Hospitality Group just finalized the purchase of a property that has been known by a few names, such as Café St. Jean and Dayboat, in Oyster Bed Bridge.
“We’re buying it and turning it into an event centre, a wedding place and a corporate retreat place,’’ Murphy said Tuesday, adding that the ink on the purchase only dried a few days ago.
The Dayboat used to be owned and run by a group of six people, including chef Gordon Bailey and his wife, Traci, along with Bobby and Laura Shapiro of New York and Bill and Michelle Brownstein of New Jersey.
Murphy Hospitality Group just finalized the purchase of a property that has been known by a few names, such as Café St. Jean and Dayboat, in Oyster Bed Bridge.
“We’re buying it and turning it into an event centre, a wedding place and a corporate retreat place,’’ Murphy said Tuesday, adding that the ink on the purchase only dried a few days ago.
The Dayboat used to be owned and run by a group of six people, including chef Gordon Bailey and his wife, Traci, along with Bobby and Laura Shapiro of New York and Bill and Michelle Brownstein of New Jersey.
“(They) owned it for years and left here, trying to sell it, not as a restaurant but as an event centre for things like corporate meetings and dinners. The Dayboat was a very popular restaurant in its day.’’
Located near the corner of Route 6 and the Grand Pere Point Road, which is the road to the Rustico golf course, the building has been vacant for a while now.
“(It) fell on hard times, and probably the last seven or eight years there’s really nothing been going on there, so it became available.
“It was a very good restaurant for a number of years and it’s just a shame. They’re nice places and a lot of times things go through cycles and they don’t get reinvented for modern use. We just saw an opportunity . . . for that area.’’
Murphy said the hospitality group was looking at its catering division at the P.E.I. Brewing Company and felt there was a need and a demand for a new location on the water that could support convention business, a market that is after night dinners and corporate events.
In addition, the brewery is doing a robust business with bookings for weddings.
“It kind of adds to the product of Prince Edward Island and rural (life) and the water (experience). People, right now, are looking for something different, not just your typical hotel room or ballroom.’’
The plan is to rename the building, renovate it and have it ready for business by June 1.
The Murphy group will also be hiring a staff. He estimates six to 10 new hires.
“It will definitely create some jobs out there and it will be fun.’’