After nearly 20 years of operation at Niagara Fallsview Casino, The Grand Buffet will be closing in October.
The Ontario casino website indicates that The Grand Buffet will permanently close on Oct. 15 starting at 9 p.m.
A sign near the buffet entrance on the casino floor also is present, letting customers know that the buffet that opened in 2004 will no longer be available in a few weeks.
Grand Buffet closing due to economic challenges
The Grand Buffet has experienced challenges since the pandemic.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the buffet was being offered for $25. It currently charges $55 for entrance, not including taxes, gratuity or alcoholic beverages.
“Our team has done an outstanding job of trying to rebuild the business at the Grand Buffet for the last year. However, despite increasing prices, controlling waste, attempts to contain costs and re-introducing food offers, we have determined that the business is not sustainable. For this reason, we have had to make the difficult decision to close the buffet,” the casino said on its website.
Niagara Casinos president Richard Taylor told the Niagara Falls Review that buffet-style dining has decreased in interest since the pandemic.
“Our team has noticed a change in customer preferences since the pandemic and buffet-style dining is not as popular in Ontario casinos as it once was with patrons,” Taylor said.
Taylor also indicated that the casino will be taking time to “re-imagine the space” once the eatery closes.
OVERTIME Sports Lounge opening Oct. 19
As The Grand Buffet closes, Niagara Fallsview Casino will be debuting the OVERTIME Sports Lounge just days later, on Oct. 19.
With sports betting now legal in Ontario, Niagara Fallsview Casino wants to bring sports viewing, dining and gambling together in one location.
The sports lounge will be a destination location for major sporting events. With over 1,500 square feet of HDTV screens, the OVERTIME Sports Lounge will include 260 seats and an 80-foot bar that accesses the restaurant and gaming floor.
Along with the entertainment options, the OVERTIME Sports Lounge will have a menu specializing in pub fare.
Once it opens at 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 19, the OVERTIME Sports Lounge will be open seven days a week from 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Reservations aren’t required for OVERTIME Sports Lounge, but if planning on visiting for a big sporting event, they are encouraged.
Momentum Dollars will be able to be redeemed at OVERTIME Sports Lounge as well.
The OVERTIME Sports Lounge will be one of 25 dining options you can find at Niagara Fallsview Casino starting on Oct. 19.
