Marianne Peryer has hit a jackpot, of sorts. Her understanding is that when the tender went out for a food and beverage stall at the new Skating Oval on the Halifax Common, her Beaver Tails franchise was the only application. “We had no idea what was going to happen here,” she says on a chilly Tuesday afternoon, watching hundreds of afternoon skaters glide by. “There are logistical issues… that may have played a part in people not applying.”
Since the opening of the Oval on December 21, Peryer has seen her business bloom, to the point she’s had to bring in a second stall for weekend public skates and special events. She’s also seeing people come in from the ‘burbs and beyond to skate and try her delicious treats, folks who wouldn’t normally come down to her summer spot on the Halifax Waterfront from May through October. Though she still operates a location at Martock through the winter, this bonanza at the Oval has been a very pleasant surprise, especially since the original Beaver Tails opened on the Rideau Canal in Ottawa, the longest skating rink in the world.
“We’re mimicking [the canal] here. I’m just so happy the public has come out to support this. The enthusiasm has been amazing.”
Beaver Tails is open from 10am until close [typically 9pm] on days the Oval is open.
This article appears in Jan 6-12, 2011.
Consider yourself blessed. Mild weather so far – hope you didn’t speak to soon. If it turns cold and windy your outlook might not be so rosy.
According to metro news these are comments from councillors on increased user fees:
While some councillors insisted kids should be able to play for free, others suggested users should pay instead of putting it all on the taxpayer.
“We’ve got to come to a time that if you want to use these facilities, you’ve got to pay for it,” said Coun. Russell Walker.
We will see how well the oval is used when the weather turns cold and how HRM can justify reconstructing the oval.
WTF is a Beaver Tail? Is it like a flat donut or something?
http://www.ottawa-information-guide.com/be…
@Cranky, Beaver Tails are naan bread, deep-fried, covered with Nutella or Maple butter or whatever else the Beaver Tails people can sell on them. Nothing earth-shattering, but delicious just the same. Course, they’re as ridiculously overpriced as any other chain-franchised product. Easy to make yourself if you’ve got a deep fryer around.
I had a Beaver Tail on the Rideau Canal last week – looking forward to taking advantage of the oval in Halifax too!