The former operators of the Club Cafe in Red Deer aren’t ready to relinquish their claim to the landmark name.
After operating at 5019 Ross St. for nearly 80 years, the Club Cafe closed in 2006.
A restaurant with the same name opened in those premises last Monday, and that raised the eyebrows of Emun Chan, who managed the old restaurant.
She said Bow Chan, who ran the restaurant before it closed, retained the rights to the Club Cafe name so that he can resume business if he chooses.
“The company still exists, it’s just inactive,” she said, adding that the new restaurant is confusing her former customers.
“We have nothing to do with them.”
Julie Mac, who owns the new restaurant, has offered assurances that her business will operate as the Red Deer Club Cafe, said Chan.
But this distinction hasn’t been made to the media and the old Club Cafe sign is still being used.
“It’s totally different, other than the location is the same,” said Chan.
“What does that do to our business if we do reopen one day?”
Mac told the Advocate on Monday that the name of her restaurant is the Red Deer Club Cafe.
There are a number of other Club Cafes in Alberta, including at Calgary, Stettler and Wetaskiwin.