Giraffe Restaurant, a fixture on White Rock’s West Beach since 1989, has permanently closed its doors.
A voice message on the restaurant’s answering machine advised of the closure, which happened sometime in November. Restaurant general manager Jamie Humphreys also left a message on the restaurant’s website.
“We would like to thank all of our patrons for their support over the past 28 years, but, unfortunately we have had to close our doors,” the note said. “It’s been a great run!”
Thursday morning, South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce executive director Cliff Annable told Peace Arch News he had not been aware that Giraffe, at 15053 Marine Dr., had closed.
Annable said he was “gobsmacked” to hear.
“You figure, a busy time near Christmas, why would you close down before Christmas when it’s a busy time of the year for you?” he said.
Coun. Lynne Sinclair said she didn’t have any information on the closure, but “it breaks my heart, because I really liked Giraffe. I’ve known Jamie quite well, over the years, but I guess it was very sudden.”
Sinclair said that although Humphreys owned the restaurant for several years, it was founded by two women 28 years ago.
“The name Giraffe came from the father of one of the women. He said that if you don’t stick your neck out, you don’t make progress.”
Waterfront restaurant closures have been a topic of discussion for White Rock residents and city council. Earlier this year, the White Rock BIA created a Waterfront Task Force to find a solution to the number of restaurant closures, approximately a dozen over the past four years.
BIA executive director Jennifer Brandon did not return a request for comment before PAN deadline Thursday morning.