BATTLEFORD — It has been confirmed that Pennydale Junction has been sold.
In an appearance before Battleford town council Monday, Michelle Tomanek of Boyes Group Realty confirmed to council that the new owners are Ash and Nicole Alam of Battleford.
They will take over from Tom and Marilyn Tenetuik who have owned the business for more than three decades.
The sale means the restaurant will stay in business at 92 - 22nd St., Battleford, and remain locally owned in the historic former CN railway station building.
The railway station was built in 1911 and relocated to its current location in 1975, and is a municipal heritage property. Pennydale Junction has been operating there since 1977.
The plan is for the staff to stay on and to create more jobs, to keep the current menu under a new head chef, though a few new items are being added such as buffalo, elk and northern pike.
The plan is to be open for dinner every day of the week starting March 31. For now breakfast will be Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but the plan is to be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week starting in May.
There are tentative plans for a grand opening event May 4.
Town council members provided their best wishes to both the new and outgoing owners. They see the sale as good news to keep Pennydale Junction open in Battleford.
“Tom and Marilyn have been here for many years — they took on a pretty big historic building to create the legacy of Pennydale,” said Mayor Ames Leslie.
“Ash and Nicole … quite surprised but I’m not surprised. You have embraced this community very quickly when you moved here and you’ve seen an opportunity to keep something going forth in our community, so thank you for that.”