The restaurant in the old Balmoral Hotel on Haliburton Street in Nanaimo's South End has been closed for the past four years; a sign that the area has been undergoing "challenges". Two weeks ago it opened as King's Cafe, a 50s Diner/Sea Food Restaurant. It's one more sign that the South End Community, "an area in transition", has begun to turn the corner.

I've got a soft spot in my heart for the "underdog" and that would be a good word to use were you to compare this community's image to other Nanaimo communities. I have a special "soft spot" when the "underdog" is building a growing energy that is bound to turn it into a winner and, as I suggested in last week's column, that's exactly what is happening in the South End. You should pay a visit.

Gregg Hofftad, a fisherman/musician has been organizing nondenominational coffee houses in various churches in the area for years, and he's grown to love both the community and its people during that time. He's also had some experience retailing sea food and running a fish and chips restaurant in Ladysmith. You may remember the boat he had down in Ladysmith's harbour that sold sea food on the lower deck and fish and chips up top.

Unfortunately the boat sank a couple of years ago, so Ladysmith's loss became Nanaimo South End's gain; a potential community rallying place, a gathering place within walking distance for most in the community.

Gregg describes the cafe as a family place that offers old fashioned breakfasts, banana splits and milk shakes, bison burgers and a variety of sea food. I haven't had any of the sea food but I can say that the breakfast, featuring homemade jams and jellies and three pieces of toast, is excellent.

Sydney Robertson who lives in the community says her neighbours are happy to see what Gregg has done with the restaurant. She's also pleased that it's a place where her kids can come and feel comfortable - They were playing cards at the next table as we chatted.

Sue Powers says that it makes a huge difference to see the previously boarded up, rather scary looking place now open and welcoming.

As small as the restaurant is, Gregg is organizing live music two or three days a week and he has plans to expand into a 120 seat space and offer an alcohol-free smorgasbord along with an open stage for musicians.

Good luck to Gregg and to the entire South End Community. Their hard work is definitely paying off.