A big change of ownership is coming to the restaurant business in Hay River.
After many years, the Duford family is selling The Back Eddy Cocktail Lounge & Restaurant, arguably the best-known dining establishment in town.
The Back Eddy is currently co-owned by sisters Linda and Nanette Duford, who will be selling the business to the Rowe's Group of Companies.
"It's bittersweet, for sure," said Nanette, the lounge manager, of the decision to sell the business.
"It's a lot of emotions, but the time was right," added Linda, the kitchen manager. "We're getting burned out."
Their late parents – father Bert Duford and mother Olding Duford – bought The Back Eddy in 2000.
Many family members helped run the business over the years, but they started to drift away to other endeavours.
"The signs were all there, but, of course, it's very emotional, very bittersweet," said Linda. "We know that it's going to be hard when the time actually comes."
She has been working at The Back Eddy since 2002, while Nanette has been working there since 1987.
The restaurant opened in 1974 and some things have not changed since then, including some of the menu items.
"We even play music from 40 years ago," Nanette said with a laugh.
The Duford sisters explain that the seeds for selling the business were actually planted 12 years ago when their mother died, but they could not sell while their father was still alive.
"We hung on for Dad because he still liked to come up here and putter around. He was our maintenance man," said Linda. "That's what he did all his life. And then once he died, then that was it."
Nanette agreed.
"We couldn't do anything before Dad went," she said, noting The Back Eddy kept him going and was his link to his late wife. "This was his big part of the day. He'd come here for three or four hours and I mean that was his full day. He'd get dressed like he was going to work."
Their father died two years ago and The Back Eddy was put up for sale a year ago.
"It took this long," said Linda of finding a buyer. "We've had lots of tire kickers, but for different reasons nothing ever came about."
Effective Nov. 1, The Back Eddy Cocktail Lounge & Restaurant will join The Rowe's Group of Companies under the management of Ptarmigan Inn Hotels Ltd.
Terry Rowe, the operations manager with Ptarmigan Inn Hotels Ltd., said the company is excited about the purchase and sees a lot of opportunities.
"The Back Eddy is a well-run establishment that's been around for a long, long time," he said. "There's a lot of things that we think we can bring to the table, that we can change a couple of things, implement some of our systems over there and hopefully keep the loyal staff that they have, keep the loyal customers that they have."
There won't be a bunch of changes right away, he noted, adding that any changes will be done gradually.
Rowe counts himself as a fan of The Back Eddy.
"I actually love the feel of the place. I'm a customer there," he said. "I think it's comfortable, but we do get feedback and there are some things that I think we can change, maybe some tables and chairs. Maybe some colours eventually. I think we do want to modernize the washrooms."
Most of the staff will be staying, he added, noting two staff members at the Ptarmigan Inn – a chef and a server – will be moving to The Back Eddy.
Rowe said the Duford sisters have done a very good job at The Back Eddy.
"That's why I think we're purchasing it is because they have a loyal customer base and things that people really enjoy there that we don't want to change," he said. "They've worked very, very hard."
Linda Duford, a well-known fiddler, hopes to open a music studio after she leaves The Back Eddy and she recently ran for a seat on town council.
Plus, she noted she will help with the transition of The Back Eddy to the new owner.
Nanette Duford plans to travel.
"Hay River will always be my home," she said. "I'll be home in summer. I don't need to do the snow anymore. So I'll do some travelling, some retreats."
The Duford sisters plan to end their time at The Back Eddy with live music nights on Oct. 26 and 27.
Nanette described it as a big farewell bash.
The Dufords' last day operating The Back Eddy will be Oct. 27.