The former home of Ian’s Jubilee Coffee Shop will be torn down in three weeks unless advocates can come up with a palatable plan to save the structure.
Last Thursday, City of Victoria staff told council the Turner building, a 1940s building at 2002 Richmond Rd., has fallen into such disrepair that it needs to be torn down immediately.
In response, a citizens group called Save Ian’s Coffee Shop is organizing on Facebook to recognize the iconic business and its former owner, Ian Turner.
“There’s a lot of energy and a lot of people who are really behind this and it just speaks to how people feel about that location and Ian Turner,” said Shawn DeWolfe, who is spearheading the advocacy effort. “There was just a tremendous amount of generosity from Ian in the time he ran the coffee shop.”
DeWolfe is fearful the building is beyond repair, but said supporters are keen to discuss options with the building’s current owner, Charlotte Turner.
“The building is very unsafe, so time is of the essence,” said Coun. Shellie Gudgeon.
If a new plan for the building isn’t submitted to city hall before Nov. 20, the building will be slated for demolition.