Citing slump, Bacalao owner looks to sell, start new venture

A high-profile fine dining restaurant in St. John's is up for sale after 11 years in business.

Bacalao owner Andrea Maunder says the economic downturn has caused a businessslump, and she's ready to try something new.

"It's taken me probably a year to come to the decision that I have," Maunder said.

"It kind of had to wait until I had my personal parachute so that I've got something else to launch that I can sink my teeth into and obviously make a living from."

Housed in a turn-of-the-century home on LemarchantRoad, Bacalao specializesinmodern, upscale versions of classic Newfoundland dishes using locally sourced ingredients. It was a gap Maunder saw in the restaurant industry in St. John's when she started the business.

"I came home 11 years ago expressly to do this, having visited lots of times and looking for Newfoundland food," she said.

See Zach Goudie'sdocumentary on the last days of another St. John's restaurant, the Reluctant Chef

"There was a lot of uptake throughout the province with everybody focusing on local."

Maunder says Bacalao was "pretty much flat out" for the first nineor 10 years in business, but lately she's noticed a slowdown.

Keeping it local

The silver lining, Maunder says, is that she's had more time to focus on a new venture, called Saucy & Sweet, which sells cocktail syrups, preserves and sweets made with local berries and other ingredients.

"It's been challenging the last couple years in the restaurant industry because of the downturn in the economy, but I'm so re-energized now," she said.

"It's been something that's been percolating for probably four or five years and now I have the time and the energy to do it, so I'm thrilled."

Saucy & Sweet sets up shop at the St. John's Farmer's Market and other local markets. Maunder's also in the catering business and says Bacalao will stay open until the building sells.

"You know how real estate goes, it could happen tomorrow it could happen months from now, but there's always lead time."

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