VIDEO: Doc Willoughby's sale unrelated to pandemic

After almost 22 years, Dave Willoughby will be saying goodbye to the Bernard Avenue pub built in honour of his grandfather.

It wasn't an easy decision, he said, but he was quick to add that it didn't have to do with the pandemic.

"It's just the right time," said Willoughby.

The English-style pub has been purchased by Kyle and Carolyn Nixon who have told KelownaNow they don't plan a lot of changes when they take the helm.

Willoughby said the idea of selling, came up before anyone had heard of COVID-19.

"We were having these thoughts," he said, "trying to find the right buyer prior to COVID so this is just kind of picking up where we left off."

After creating Doc Willoughby's and seeing it through more than 2 decades, Willoughby talks about letting it go, the way a father might talk about a child.

"It is definitely difficult," he said. "There's no question about it. It's like letting your baby go to another household and saying goodbye. But I think Doc's is mature enough now to take that step and to become a new thing."

The Nixons are adding to a growing fleet of establishments that include BNA and Skinny Duke's in Kelowna's downtown core.

Willoughby takes an interest in the future of the establishment and looks forward to seeing what the Nixons do with it.

"In order for this place to grow and flourish it needs to really have a new set of eyes and a new sense of energy."

The building was constructed in 1905, and there are elements of its historical value that Willoughby believes haven't been fully taken advantage of.

"We have a whole second level loft space that I've been wanting to develop," he explained. "I think Kyle (Nixon) will make that happen at some point."

The pub officially changes hands May 1.