It's a day of turnover for Canadian venues. Not only did Vancouver's Railway Club just go up for sale, but iconic Ottawa venue Zaphod Beeblebrox is going to be changing hands.
Club proprietor Eugene Haslam, who has operated Zaphod's since 1989 (since 1992 in its current location), had previously announced plans to retire. Now, he has officially announced that he has finalized an agreement to sell the venue to one of its present staff members. Haslam's last day will be January 31, 2016. The new owner will take over the next day.
It seems that Zaphod's will continue to be a music venue. Haslam wrote, "Once some legal and regulatory hurdles are cleared, this venerable venue will continue with a new lease on life and will, hopefully, with the strong support of Ottawans, continue the legacy of our past 26+ years."
Of course, it remains to be seen whether the new operator will share Haslam's affection for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The club is named after the Galactic President from the sci-fi comedy books, and it serves drinks inspired by the series. Haslam's retirement letter is titled "So Long and Thanks for All the Fish" (which is the title of the fourth book in the Hitchhiker's Guide series) and the missive contains various quotes from author Douglas Adams.
The letter also contained many earnest thank-yous, and Haslam wrote, "I am profoundly grateful to Ottawans and the many visitors from Canada and around the world that have shared in this wonderful musical and social alternative."
Meanwhile, Haslam will remain active in his final couple of months at the club. The venue's busy Christmas schedule can be found here, and booking for January is underway.
Club proprietor Eugene Haslam, who has operated Zaphod's since 1989 (since 1992 in its current location), had previously announced plans to retire. Now, he has officially announced that he has finalized an agreement to sell the venue to one of its present staff members. Haslam's last day will be January 31, 2016. The new owner will take over the next day.
It seems that Zaphod's will continue to be a music venue. Haslam wrote, "Once some legal and regulatory hurdles are cleared, this venerable venue will continue with a new lease on life and will, hopefully, with the strong support of Ottawans, continue the legacy of our past 26+ years."
Of course, it remains to be seen whether the new operator will share Haslam's affection for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The club is named after the Galactic President from the sci-fi comedy books, and it serves drinks inspired by the series. Haslam's retirement letter is titled "So Long and Thanks for All the Fish" (which is the title of the fourth book in the Hitchhiker's Guide series) and the missive contains various quotes from author Douglas Adams.
The letter also contained many earnest thank-yous, and Haslam wrote, "I am profoundly grateful to Ottawans and the many visitors from Canada and around the world that have shared in this wonderful musical and social alternative."
Meanwhile, Haslam will remain active in his final couple of months at the club. The venue's busy Christmas schedule can be found here, and booking for January is underway.
