Most recently it was Auntie Jane's, before that Tammie's Queen of Wings, but for many longtime residents, it was Matilda's Roman Villa...one of the most popular restaurants in North Bay in the '70s and '80s.
The site of that eating establishment is now rubble as an excavator today tore apart the north end of the building. This past winter the roof had collapsed, probably from the excessive snow load, although that has never been publicly disclosed. The restaurant was closed at the time of the collapse.
See: Restaurant roof collapses due to snow
And: Unsafe building order issued for Auntie Jane's
Matilda's was not only a great restaurant to grab an evening meal, but it was a favourite hangout for employees of CFCH radio and CKAT as they took breaks for a cup of coffee or the odd after-work drink.
The owner of Maingate Plaza at 725 Main St E. did not return calls from BayToday regarding the demolition, although sources told us that the demolished portion will not be rebuilt, leaving the remainder intact.
A crew was busy today as the remains of the building were demolished and put into containers for removal.
It was March 4 when North Bay Fire crews responded to a call around 6:30 p.m. after reports that a large section of a roof on Main Street East near the overpass had collapsed.
At the time, Deputy Fire Chief Greg Saunders says the call came in from a passerby who noticed the damage.
