By Justin Goulet

Water Tower Grill closing on Friday

Oct 10, 2019 | 12:46 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A notable restaurant in Lethbridge is closing its doors.

The Water Tower Grill, located on Mayor Magrath Drive South, will shut down following its dinner service on Friday, Oct. 11.

The restaurant is managed by Calgary’s Vintage Group for LA Restaurants Inc. President of Vintage, Lance Hurtubise said a lack of revenue was a main factor in the decision to close.

“We became a tourist place and considered high-end, which isn’t sustainable in Lethbridge we didn’t think, and our year-end was October 1st and we hadn’t turned a profit yet, so we just decided to move on. The people of Lethbridge have been fantastic. You know, we did work with the [Lethbridge] Hurricanes, they were amazing to deal with. Overall, there’s nothing bad to say about this city. It’s just a new time and a new world,” Hurtubise said, noting this was Vintage Group’s first venture in Lethbridge.

Water Tower Grill can be viewed from many different areas in Lethbridge (Lethbridge News Now)

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He added that they initially opened strong in 2018, but they weren’t able to sustain that momentum.

As for what will happen with the space itself, Hurtubise said he couldn’t say what would be done but did speak on what will happen with restaurant employees.

“We gave them notice, we’re paying them all out of course and I’m not sure – there’s opportunity [with Vintage Group] but unfortunately it’s in Calgary,” he said.

He added that to survive in a smaller community like Lethbridge, you need the attention from locals, not just tourists.

“It was more of an events – like a destination, an events place [for] birthdays and anniversaries…a special occasion restaurant, really.”

Hurtubise said Vintage Group might give it another go in Lethbridge in the future.

“Not today, I can assure you that. This has all got to settle in. I like the town and it’s so disappointing. I’ve spent a lot of time in Lethbridge and I enjoy it,” he said.

“Business is business and it’s a new economy, it’s a new world. [It’s] just time to move on. Will we come back? Sure, but it’s got to be the right time, the right deal and now that we understand the market, I think we’ll be a lot smarter coming back in.”