NORTH VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – What has been an institution for generations of blue collar types on the North Shore is closing its doors for good.

Chris Cotton has been the General Manager at the Lynnwood Pub for 23 years.

“Once you become part of the Lynnwood, you stay. We’ve got staff here currently that are over 30 years here and, you know five, 10 years is a short time for most people,” he explains.

The Lynnwood has hosted shipbuilders, truckers, longshoremen, fishermen, and bridge builders going back to 1934, but the mood wasn’t always celebratory.

“I was just talking to a fellow in the pub today who was here working on the Second Narrows Bridge when it collapsed and he was telling me about the friends that he lost on that bridge and he was telling me that this place was the place to come for that working crew out of there.”

But despite the history within the walls, Cotton admits the time has come to close the book on the weathered watering hole.

“The building is old. We did a major renovation about, just over 10 years ago. We did another small one…facelift…but it really needs another major construction rebuild and, with the economy and the market, it would never get the return on its money.”

Owner Andrew Priatel agrees with Cotton that it’s time to move on, but says it’s still emotional.

“I think it’s only started to hit home in the last week but yeah, you know, seeing how customers react and staff have reacted, it’s changed my perspective so I’m a little bit sad now too.”

Priatel points to the changing nature of the liquor business for the pub’s demise.

“People in general don’t drink what they used to. Trends have changed, food has become a lot more important, and these large drinking establishments economically aren’t viable anymore.”

On Tuesday, everything inside will be auctioned off and the space will make way for a commercial and warehouse development.