Sub on the Hub is nothing if not a determined enterprise.
The business and its owners/operators – the husband and wife team of Dragon and Michelle Huang – have survived another long break in running the concession at the rec centre.
When the new rec centre opened just before the beginning of the Arctic Winter Games on March 18, Sub on the Hub also returned after the demolition and rebuild of the old rec centre.
"We waited for a long time," said Dragon, the cook and manager of the operation.
"Almost two years," added Michelle, the counter person, noting Sub on the Hub was out of business from May of 2016 to when it reopened.
That was the second time it was out of business at the rec centre for a lengthy period of time. The business also did not operate during the seven-month strike by the town's unionized workers in 2015.
Dragon Huang is happy to be once again back in business, this time in a new rec centre.
"The wait was a little bit tough for us because it's not easy to find a job in town," he said, adding he ended up working as a cook at Ricky's Restaurant in St. Albert, Alta.
"I had to look for something to do to support my family," he explained.
While working as a cook there, he was closer to his two sons who are both attending the University of Alberta.
Michelle Huang stayed in Hay River as the couple's daughter attended Diamond Jenness Secondary School.
Dragon Huang noted he and his wife had been informed by the town before the rec centre project began that it would hopefully be completed by October of 2017.
The town wrote the business a letter before it temporarily closed, he recalled. "They say that they would like us to come back."
Dragon said it was an easy decision to come back, noting the people of Hay River are used to his food.
"Here is a good location," added Michelle of the new rec centre.
Sub on the Hub first began operating in the old rec centre over four years ago.
Upon their return, the Huangs were immediately into the Arctic Winter Games.
Michelle said it was a "super busy" time for Sub on the Hub.
Dragon recalled there were always people lined up, and he and his wife worked long hours.
On the Sunday after the games ended, he said Sub on the Hub closed for one day and he slept for 20 hours.
"Probably I was sleeping maybe 12 hours," said Michelle.
Dragon Huang said he is pleased with the new space for Sub on the Hub, noting he helped design it.
The Huangs, who are both originally from China, have been in the restaurant business in Hay River for about 22 years.