Construction equipment company Xtend Rentals has purchased the property where Chakalaka Restaurant and Market operated.
“After a very long and arduous process, our next goal is officially on its way to becoming a reality thanks entirely to each and every one of you,” Xtend Rentals owner Bill Robinson said in a Facebook post.
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Xtend Rentals currently operates two locations at 1030 Oyster Bay Drive in Ladysmith and 1910 East Wellington Road in Nanaimo. Robinson said the new Xtend Rentals location will have 10,000 square feet of buildings and over three acres of land.
“We want to build you a destination machine, tool, landscape supply, and garden center like no one has ever seen,” he said. “This one will have a couple of Airbnb rentals, maybe a cafe small engine repairman, chain saw equipment, used machinery dealer and consignment, and so much more!”
Robinson said he takes possession of the property on August 1 and the opening is set for August 20.
The property located at 13230 Trans-Canada Highway gained notoriety in April when former owner Dick Deschamps operated his restaurant without a COVID-19 safety plan and defied Island Health orders. The property had also become a nuisance to local residents after some 20 RVs occupied the land.
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Island Health found that accommodations made for the RVs contravened the Drinking Water Protection Act and the Public Health Act. Island Health sought an injunction against Deschamps to shut down his operation.