Skinner’s closing up shop on Sunday

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/10/2019 (2144 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The owner of Skinner’s will reluctantly pack up any remaining hotdog buns Sunday after 30 years of selling fast food inside The Forks.

Allan Thompson confirmed Friday his lease-renewal application for the restaurant inside the historic market’s food court was rejected unexpectedly two months ago.

Skinner’s has to vacate its downtown Winnipeg post by Nov. 1.

“I was flabbergasted, because I didn’t expect that after having been there 30 years and renewing lease after lease after lease,” Thompson said during a phone call Friday afternoon.

The hotdog vendor, which was first established in 1929, set up shop at The Forks in 1989. It has served its “world famous hotdog,” as well as fries and other comfort food since.

Thompson said this was the first year his space was open to the public for competitive lease applications, meaning he had to fight other bidders for the space when his lease expired at the end of July.

The Forks Renewal Corporation approved another business and did not expand on its decision, the owner of Skinner’s said.

“It’s a puzzle to us, because we pay them a good lease. We were never late or missed a payment over 30 years. We had no issues with the landlord, he had no issues with us,” Thompson said, adding he believes his restaurant is one of the busiest vendors in the food court.

The Forks’ manager of communications, Larissa Peck, said in an emailed statement Skinner’s lease had ended.

“Beyond that, tenant leases are private and we don’t discuss publicly,” Peck said.

Thompson said he suspects the market wants change, as it has undergone many changes in recent years — including the opening of the craft beer-and-wine kiosk called The Common. This summer, it expanded The Common outside with a licensed outdoor patio.

When Skinner’s closes Sunday, a dozen employees will be out of work. The positions are both parttime and fulltime.

General manager Micki Lai said she was upset when she found out Skinner’s had to close after eight years of working there.

“I basically grew up working here. It’s really upsetting, knowing that we’re getting pushed out,” said Lai, 24.

She added she’s concerned The Forks, which “is supposed to be family-oriented,” is focusing on The Common and serving alcohol.

Thompson said he is not ruling out scouting for another location in Winnipeg. In the meantime, his two locations in Lockport, including one at the locks and another on Highway 44, will remain open. Skinner’s owns its two restaurants outside Winnipeg.

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @macintoshmaggie