"The old story is that Greenpeace actually started in a corner of Nahm. I'm thinking about where Table 19 is now." — ”Jacob Beauregard, Naam's weekend manager.
One of Vancouver's oldest and most iconic vegetarian restaurants is up for sale and listed online as a 'future redevelopment'.
Naam Restaurant, along with land and buildings on West 4th Avenue, including a two-bedroom suite above the restaurant,are for sale for just under $8 million.
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Nahm opened in 1968 and was originally home to anti-war advocates, environmentalists and other dissident groups. It was a popular gathering place. Located in the heart of what was then called 'Rainbow Road', it has been serving vegetarian food for over 50 years.
"The old story is that Greenpeace actually started in a corner of Nahm," said Jacob Beauregard, his manager at Nahm Weekend. The group was reportedly planning its first campaign at a restaurant, he said. said.
Vancouver-based American illustrator Marie Boren created GenePeace's first campaign. In February, she suggested taking a boat north to the US nuclear test site in Alaska.
According to Beauregard, the current owner has owned his Naam since the early 70's. I am currently in my 70s and am looking to retire.
"From what I understand, their children do very different things professionally," he says Beauregard. "No one wants to take over [the restaurant]." Knowing that it has been served, the staff say they feel anxiety and sadness. Many have worked in the restaurant for years, including one woman who is now in her 70s.
"They know the place well," said Beauregard. "Frankly, they deserve a lot of respect, and they are uneasy about starting in a new place where they don't get the respect they are accustomed to."
"Nahm has given me many opportunities in life," added Beauregard. "I'm graduating soon, but I wouldn't have been able to go to school without Nahm." It advertises itself as a "property", but also highlights the "high-profile" restaurant on the ground floor.
Beauregard said he didn't know what would happen if the restaurant had to relocate, but Naam has other vegetarian options that set him apart from the restaurant. He said he feels he has a "certain recipe for success".
"We still make everything from scratch," he said. "We focus on quality sourcing."
He said the building itself is also a big part of the restaurant's success.
"Some of this furniture has been here since the draft dodgers built it," he said. . "This building has old glassware and is very unique."
According to the Vancouver Heritage Foundation, the building housing Nahm he built in 1920. The exterior of the building has remained largely unchanged since its construction.
A clothing store was the building's first tenant, followed by a bakery in the 1930s. A laundromat opened in the 1950s, followed by a love cafe until he opened Nahm in 1968.
Nahm is Kitsilano's only remaining original natural food business from his 1960s, according to the Vancouver Heritage Foundation.
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