Visitors to North Island Hospital campuses in Courtenay and Campbell River may be disappointed to find the cafés in both hospitals were recently shut down.
On Friday, Rocky Mountain Coffee Co. closed down each of its locations, giving notice to the public through paper signs taped to the doors. The two hospital cafés have been operating since 2017 after the Comox-based company was the successful proponent of a Request for Proposals.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances, the cafés – operated by an independent food retailer – at North Island Hospital Campbell River & District and Comox Valley campuses closed on Friday, May 10,” read a brief emailed statement from Island Health. “For the time being, Island Health is providing options for staff and visitors, including assorted sandwiches, baked goods, fresh fruit, and grab-and-go items.”
The current food options can be purchased with cash only.
Island Health’s emailed statement emphasized that Rocky Mountain Coffee was only providing retail food services – patient food services will not be affected at either location.
READ ALSO: Rocky Mountain Coffee Co. employee says bills weren’t being paid leading up to closure
No decisions on long-term plans for retail food services at both hospitals have been made at this time.
Rocky Mountain Coffee Co.’s main branch, located on Comox Avenue, has also closed. A note taped to its door Monday read, “This location is permanently closed, thank you for the great 12 years Comox!”
David Gan, the general manager of Rocky Mountain Coffee, also helped open another venture last year, The Social Room, which was also closed down last week.
The restaurant, located on Port Augusta Street in Comox, opened on July 18, 2018.
According to a letter from the landlord taped onto the restaurant’s door, the tenant failed to pay rent for the month of May, and the landlord is intending to relet the property.
Dated May 10, 2019, the letter details that “The Tenant is in default of its obligations under paragraph Section 13 of the lease by reason of its failure to pay rent.”
jolene.rudisuela@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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