After spending 18 years as the owner of Crabby Joe's in Chatham, Dan Chahbar is getting ready to say "good bye."
Chahbar's last day as owner of the restaurant wraps up on Friday, at precisely 11:59am -- right before lunch.
"It is what they say 'bittersweet,'" says Chahbar. "After 18 years there's a lot of other things you want to do but there's [also] a lot you leave behind."
Dan Chahbar pictured here outside of the Crabby Joe's Restaurant on Grand Ave. in Chatham shortly after he took ownership. (Photo submitted by Kelly Chahbar)
Chahbar adds there's a lot of good memories associated with his time at Crabby Joe's, some of which involve community engagement.
"I think one of the good memories that we will always take with us, is the fact that we've participated in a lot of good causes," he says. "We've raised an incredible amount of money that helped a lot of families."
However, Chahbar says his favourite memory is meeting his wife Kelly. The two met while Kelly was working as an employee at the restaurant.
"If it was not for this business, I would have not met my wife," he says.
In terms of how the transition will go, Chahbar says the staff will be left in good hands and the new owner will be left with a staff who knows what they're doing.
That being said, Chahbar adds he's created some great relationships at Crabby Joe's -- especially with the staff.
"We care about each other, we know about each other's families, so in that respect I think they don't like the change [in ownership], but they're also looking forward to a few things that the [new] owner will do," he says.
The entire process of switching owners wasn't something Chahbar had planned; he says the opportunity just presented itself.
"The business wasn't listed for sale. Somebody came by who's experienced... and we decided to sell it," he says.
As for what's next, Chahbar says they don't have any specific plans, but their family has a couple things on the go in London that they'll be tending to.
However, he adds they have friends and family in Chatham so they'll stay in touch with the community.
"Chatham will always be home," he says.
