For 14 years, the Houndogs Reztaurant in Penticton has been a hot spot for channel floaters to cool off with food and entertainment.
But the iconic restaurant is on its last legs, as it’s closing down on Sept. 3.
“It’s going to be a big difference … We’re really gonna miss it, but it’s time to move on,” co-owner Debbie Ramsay says.
Debbie owns the restaurant with her husband Ralph, and the couple says the owners of the property will be redeveloping the land.
The couple expressed gratitude to the property owners, but say it is bittersweet to be packing up.
“We made it like a fun zone here for all the tourists and people of Penticton,” Ralph says. “Before it was ‘just wait in line, get on the bus.’ Now it’s ‘let’s hang out down there, listen to the music, the singing. Come up for some great food.’
“We have people that will sit down there for like four hours, relaxing in their tubes and taking in the good tunes.”
The restaurant has been open in the spring and summer since 2004, serving floaters, tourists and locals alike. And it’s prominent for Ralph’s act as “Relvis.”
“I put in like five, six hours a day singing, seven days a week. One time I went 110 days straight, plus doing the Penticton Elvis fest and other shows.”
Ralph says after this season at the restaurant that Relvis will, in fact, be leaving the building.
But their menu, with bannock, chilli cheese dogs, banana splits and other fixings won’t be going away. Debbie says they’ll continue to operate their food truck at events.
“We just want to thank all of our people,” Debbie says.
All Biz Releases Stories
