Desolation Sound General Store & The Cove Restaurant for sale: (Listed 2010-11-15)

10500

$1,350,000

LOT 4, DISTRICT LOT 391, CORTES ISLAND, SAYWARD DISTRICT, PLAN 3148

PID: 006-306-586

$10,018.61 (2009)

SC - 1 (Service Commercial One)

Please follow the link to the Comox Strathcona Regional district for zoning descriptions and information:

http://www.imap.rdcs.bc.ca/zoning/2455/SC-1.pdf

The Squirrel Cove General Store & The Cove Restaurant are located on the East side of Cortes Island facing world renowned yachting destination Desolation Sound. The operations cater to the local community along with the endless supply of tourists and boaters visiting/mooring in the immediate area. The Squirrel Cove General Store has been a successful business since the 1970’s & is the only business of its type on the island and within this yachting area. It is a “true general store” offering a one stop shop for all.

The location of the store is perfect for the yachting community as the government wharf is located next door to the property and within easy walking distance. The Government Dock provides all tide docking for big and small boats.

During the economic downturn the revenue for the various operations remained strong and have increased some in the past year. There are also additional revenue possibilities by further utilizing the property adding to the current viable business.

CLICK HERE to View A 360° View Of The Property

THE COVE RESTAURANT
The location of The Cove Restaurant is one of the most spectacular you'll find anywhere. It is right at water level and looks out to the glory of Desolation Sound. From the large patio, you can frequently see eagles soaring and fish leaping. If the day is chilly, you can sit inside around a fire and gaze through any window to astonishing beauty. Currently The Cove Restaurant is leased out from May to September. A capable new owner could increase revenue by operating the restaurant rather than leasing it out. It is licensed for 108 capacity accommodating large groups.

The current MENU is based on local seafood and fresh vegetables, comfort food and daily specials. There are often home made desserts and always homemade soup and organic salads. The Cove is licensed to serve alcohol, so you can enjoy a bottle of wine with your meal or a glass of draft beer with your appetizer.

CLICK HERE to view the current MENU

The Squirrel Cove General Store Includes:

-Large Walk In Fridge With Fruits & Vegetables
-Extensive selection of staples & dry goods
-A Liquor Agency Hardware Department
-Post Office ATM, Video Rentals
-Wireless Internet

HOURS OF OPERATION
The General Store carries just about everything you'll ever need. Current hours of operation are: 9-6 every day and 9-9 in the summer. In the summer there are ten part time employees and two full time. In the offseason there are five part time and two full time employees.

FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES
There is a large walk-in cooler with fresh (organic and regular) fruit and vegetables, tofu, free-range eggs, and dairy. Often, when in season, produce is from local farmers. There is a variety of fresh and frozen meat, fish, oysters and prawns (local when possible), and a freezer full of ice cream and other frozen treats. Bread and baking goods arrive frequently. Both cube & block ice is available.

STAPLES AND DRY GOODS
This is a great place for locals and boaters to stock up on dried goods, organic/fair trade coffee, soft drinks and treats. You can also find detergents and paper products; repair kits, fishing tackle, licences, and bait; maps, charts and tide tables; toiletries and medicine; baby food and diapers; water purifier tablets and bottled water; stamps and newspapers; chips and dips and soft ice-cream.

GOVERNMENT LIQUOR
Inside the General Store, there is a Government Liquor Agency in its own room. You'll be amazed at the vast selection of local and imported beer, wine, coolers, ciders, champagne, liqueurs and hard alcohol.

HARDWARE AND TOOLS
The Hardware Store is located in the lower level. Here, you will find areas designated for plumbing, electricity, auto, marine, oil, nails, screws, batteries, fuses, adhesives, etc.

CLICK HERE to view the general stores website

Other Onsite Revenue Operations Include:

-Fuel Sales
-A Laundromat with Showers
-Craft Store
-The Cove Garden Centre
-Boat Launch
-The Cove Restaurant
-A high water dock for float plane or boat tie up

FUELS
There are 4 types of fuel available: Propane for auto and cylinders. Marked gasoline for boats and farm vehicles. Diesel. Regular unleaded gas. They have jerry cans and a trusty wheelbarrow you can borrow if you need to replenish your fuel for your boat. The dock is directly in front of the pumps and is available for use at high tide.

LAUNDRY AND SHOWERS
There is a separate building housing coin operated commercial washers and dryers. There are also 2 coin-operated showers with plenty of hot water.

THE CRAFT STORE
Local artists and crafts people display their work in this charming shop. It is co-operatively operated and you can learn about each artist. Prices are reasonable and new work is arriving frequently. The Craft Store is open during late June to early September from 10 AM to 6 PM.

GARDEN CENTRE
Fertilizers, tools, bedding plants, garden hardware and fixtures, some in season, others year round.

THE BOAT LAUNCH RAMP
Added revenue is generated from many boaters and kayakers embarking on day trips. Kayak people find it a useful place to organize their gear before taking off. Seasonal residents utilize it for removing their boats for the season.

SUNDAY MARKET
Each Sunday between May 24 and Labour Day a craft/farmer market is held on site at Squirrel Cove between the Laundromat and the Cove Restaurant. Local artists, crafts, musicians, farmers, bakers, etc. will sell or perform between 11:00-3:00. This is an excellent opportunity to experience the diversity of Cortes culture and sample the wonderful local flavours.

ONSITE ACCOMMODATION
Owners accommodations are attached directly behind the general store and include a kitchen and bathroom on the ground level and nine bedrooms above. This would be very suitable for large families or could be converted easily into a Hostel adding to the revenue.


ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT: 

-Refrigerated freight truck
-Fork lift
-Industrial grade back-up diesel generator
-Walk in freezer with ice maker

Cortes Island is situated in the Discovery Islands' group just east of Quadra Island across Sutil Channel and west across Desolation Sound from British Columbia's mainland near Lund. Cortes Island is around 25 km (16 miles) long, 13 km (8 miles) wide and has an area of 13,000 hectares (32,124 acres).

To reach Squirrel Cove on Cortes Island, take the regularly scheduled ferry service on BC Ferries from Campbell River (Vancouver Island) to Quathiaski Cove on Quadra Island, approximately a 10 minute sailing. Then take a short drive from Quathiaski Cove to Heriot Bay. From Heriot Bay take a BC Ferries scheduled sailing to Whaletown on Cortes Island, approximately a 40 minute sailing. Then drive a short distance across Cortes Island from Whaletown to Squirrel Cove.

CLICK HERE to view a map of the Island

By seaplane; Direct flights to Manson's Landing on Cortes Island are available during the summer months from Vancouver (1 hr) and Seattle (2 hrs). By airplane; Air Canada runs daily flights to Campbell River (on Vancouver Island) and Powell River (on the mainland) from Vancouver and Seattle. From Campbell River airport, take the airport shuttle service to the ferry terminal in downtown Campbell River. From the Powell River Airport take a shuttle to Lund and then a water taxi to Cortes. You must make arrangements in advance for this service. Pacific Coastal Airlines also flies from the Vancouver Airport South Terminal to Campbell River.

(Contact Listing Agent)

Hydro, Telephone, Septic, Water (Dug & Drilled Wells)

Cortes Island

Nestled at the entrance to enchanting Desolation Sound, tranquil and friendly Cortes Island is one of the most impressive of the Discovery Islands, with its placid lakes, beaches, and rugged gorges. Located between Campbell River on central Vancouver Island and the mainland coast of British Columbia, the Discovery Islands dot the intricate waterways in some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.

There are three settlements on Cortes: Whaletown at the ferry dock, Manson's Landing with its sandy beaches, and Squirrel Cove, an anchorage facing Desolation Sound. The moment you step onto a ferry heading for the islands, the pace relaxes and the smiles break out.

Cortes Island is about 16 miles (25 km) long, 8 miles (13 km) wide and 13,000 hectares in area. The southern half of Cortes lies in the rain shadow of Vancouver Island, creating a drier climate than the northern half of the island. Most of the island's population lives on the southern end, along with Arbutus and Manzanita trees that cling to the bleached granite bluffs.

Native to this part of British Columbia is the Klahoose First Nation, a northern Coast Salish tribe who maintained seasonal and permanent villages from Toba Inlet south to Cortes Island. When the main villages in Toba Inlet were flooded in the 1800s, the Klahoose Band selected their traditional winter settlement at Squirrel Cove as their permanent site.

Cortes Island (pronounced Cortez) and nearby Hernando Island were named after the Spanish conqueror of Mexico, Hernando Cortes. This unlikely link was established by the Spanish cartographer, Valdez, who charted these waters in 1793. The Spanish never settled the area, but Cortes and other Spanish names remained.

The main islands in the Discovery Islands group are Quadra Island, Cortes Island and the Outer Islands, the largest of which include East and West Thurlow Islands, Sonora Island, Stuart Island, Maurelle Island, Read Island, Raza Island, and East and West Redonda Island. Visitors from around the world are attracted to the Discovery Islands for their scenic beauty and recreational opportunities.

Population: 950