The only hotel and restaurant combination in remote Zeballos has found itself on the edge of extinction.
A series of unfortunate events, starting with the 2018 wildfires, continuing through Western Forest ProductsB次元官网网址� eight-month-long strike, and culminating in the recent pandemic has hurt Cedars Inn to the point where ownership is considering shutting its doors. According to co-owner Christina Lepore, the villageB次元官网网址檚 sole restaurant, Blue Heron B次元官网网址� operated by hotel staff B次元官网网址� would also cease operations.
In 2018 the hotel was among the properties under an evacuation order for seven months due to the wildfire and landslides that hit Zeballos. The closure cost about $500,000, said Lepore. This year as cancellations poured in due to COVID-19, the financial loss stands at $150,000.
With all the setbacks, Lepore felt she was B次元官网网址済oing backwardsB次元官网网址� business-wise. Despite the relief offered for small businesses by the federal and provincial governments, Lepore felt that it still did not B次元官网网址渇ix the situationB次元官网网址� of her business, primarily because of tourismB次元官网网址檚 uncertain future.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 too risky to be in tourism now,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 refuse to take loans if I canB次元官网网址檛 pay it back.B次元官网网址�
Built in 1936 during the peak of the gold rush that help establish the town, the hotel, which was previously a hospital, still retains designs from an era gone by.
Lepore and her husband, Dan OB次元官网网址機onnor, bought it in 2003, when it was called Mason Motor Lodge and was the only hotel in town. The 15-room facility usually has full occupancy during summer, with September being its busiest month.
During these months, tourism churns the economic wheels in Zeballos. Most of the clientele comes from the U.K., Europe and the U.S. International tour companies usually book a two-week trip for tourists consisting of lodging at Cedars Inn, meals at the Blue Heron, followed by kayaking and wildlife expeditions.
B次元官网网址淯nless a vaccine is developed, I donB次元官网网址檛 see international tourism picking up,B次元官网网址� said Lepore.
Even though Blue Heron is the only restaurant in Zeballos, the customer base from within the village is very small.
B次元官网网址淜eeping the restaurant open for two or three people costs more money,B次元官网网址� she said.
While future plans are still fluid, Lepore said she is considering turning the building into long-term rental suites.
A couple of bookings still remain for September from people in the vicinity, and with plans to re-open B.C. underway, Lepore wants to wait and see if local tourism might still be able to save the hotel this summer.
