A huge milestone for River Cafe

By 660 NEWS Staff

Posted Jan 11, 2016 12:50 pm.

This article is more than 5 years old.

They’ve made it through freezing summer days with sideways rain, and the flood of 2013.

Now a Calgary dining institution is marking a major milestone.

Founder Sal Howell told 660 NEWS, this year is River Cafe’s 25th anniversary.

“In 1991 we took over what was an existing concession space in Prince’s Island Park,” said Howell.

They operated the open air eatery for four more years, before getting the city’s approval to rebuild it to what you see today.

One of the biggest challenges was when flood waters rushed in two and a half years ago.

“We were able to rebuild,” said Howell. “And we did that very quickly. We had a tremendous amount of help, so much love and support from everyone around us.”

So they’re saying thank you Calgary. “We are looking to create 25 points in the year to celebrate.”

River Cafe is also being recognized for leading the charge on sustainability in the restaurant sector, winning the 2015 Earth Day Hometown Hero Small Business award.

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