ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — The Dockyard on Harbour Drive contains more than a century of history.
When it was purchased by developer Vic Lawlor, he had a vision for the area and wanted to ensure it keeps that historical significance.
“This was intended to be an extension of the Saltbox (restaurant), an indoor courtyard, in case it rains,’’ Lawlor said while touring around the facility on Monday afternoon.
“We went ahead and did a bunch of renovations, changed the stairs to meet code so staff could get down there from upstairs, cleaned things up around the outside of the building, put in tables and chairs for people to use at their leisure and went about to sell $5 beer and wine,’’ he added.
He even put in tables and stools around the bar he installed in The Dockyard to accommodate about 50 patrons and opened the doors to the public.
He was open about two weeks and just by the feedback from two couples that showed up at separate times during the interview, they loved what was being done.
Lawlor even had a food truck (Ziggy’s) on-site to help another small business owner earn a few extra dollars and provide a service to his patrons that was totally separate from the Saltbox.
“I am just a developer trying to help restore character of old businesses in the downtown — to help the city and keep the character of these buildings at the same time,” Lawlor said.
But regulations got in the way and he was forced to close up shop until he gets the proper permits approved.
His lawyer has looked at what was being required and Lawlor said he didn’t like the direction it was going.
“They want me to apply for accessibility and right now my lawyer (John Bruce) is taking it to the Supreme Court of Newfoundland to see why they are delaying processing my application,’’ he said.
“I will follow the rules that I’m supposed to follow, but I won’t apply for something that is outside the scope of what I’m doing. I will let the court decide if I have to apply for discretionary use,’’ he added.
A story on this issue appeared in The Telegram several weeks ago, and based on comments in that article, it said the Newfoundland Liquor Corporation was responsible for The Dockyard being closed until it met all required regulations.
They advised Lawlor that any product that was moved from The Saltbox to The Dockyard had to be returned to the original restaurant.
In the same article, St. John’s Mayor Danny Breen said the city is working with the restaurant owner to process an occupancy permit. He said at the time the requirements for an occupancy permit have yet to be met.
When asked for comment on the disagreement, the city provided the following statement:
“An application was made to the city in May. Supporting documentation is required to move the process forward. To date, the documents required have not been received,” a spokesperson for the city said via email late Monday.
Until that application is complete — or approved, The Dockyard sits idle except for the green space that was installed next to the building in front of it, complete with picnic tables so those who work in the area can eat their lunches in an outdoor space.
Historical building
Originally, The Dockyard was Job Bros. & Co. Ltd., where seals and saltfish were processed from the early 1900s to the 1960s.
It then changed hands to a company called Royal Stores, a variety store that sold a host of items similar to what a store like Pipers does today. That was followed up as a parking garage, where you can still see the yellow parking spaces marked out on the floor.
“Ches Crosbie parked his car right there,’’ Lawlor said pointing to an area to the left side of the facility.
“The walls are all original stonework. It would have been a shame to cover it up so we went ahead, cleaned it up, brought in some tables, and added a few antique flags I bought at vintage shops … and posters to the walls,’’ he added.
Inside the door, he had a replica British phone booth built and erected in addition to a bronze statue that sits in the Crosbie parking space.
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