The Black Horse Pub in downtown Peterborough is under new ownership.
After almost six years at the helm, current owner Desmond Vandenberg and his wife Maria have sold the popular eatery and live music venue at 450 George Street North — but he assures patrons that the new owners will continue the pub’s legacy including live music.
“Maria and I are pleased to announce it will be business as usual at the Black Horse as the business transitions to the new owners,” Vandenberg says in a media release. “We look forward to introducing Sajen (Ganeshalingam) and his family to the Peterborough community.”
“The new owners are young energetic entrepreneurs who plan to continue The Black Horse’s long-standing legacy of supporting the Peterborough arts scene,” Vandenberg adds. “Sajen has expressed his intention to have music remain a key part of the restaurant.”
Vandenberg and his wife purchased the Black Horse in May 2018 for close to the $850,000 asking price from then-owner Ray Kapoor, who was retiring with his wife Nancy Kerr. A graduate of Trent University, Vandenberg bought pub after Parkview Home’s bid to purchase the property for redevelopment fell through.
Last July, Vandenberg put the property on the market with an asking price of $1.2 million.
“It has been five years,” Vandenberg told kawarthaNOW at the time. “A couple of those years were COVID, which was a real challenge, but we have done some things. The way the music gets played, how people can hear it and enjoy it.”
“So five years later, we’re thinking ‘Yup, we’ve done a lot.’ Now it feels like the right time for somebody else to come in and bring some fresh ideas to another level.”
The final selling price of the property is unknown.
“Peterborough is an amazing community and we want to thank all of those who have supported us during this adventure,” Vandenberg says. “Our customers, staff, and performers have all contributed to making the last six years more rewarding than we possibly could have imagined. We have thoroughly enjoyed our time at The Black Horse, despite the challenges that COVID presented.”
“The Black Horse has been and will continue to be a friendly, charming place to enjoy a meal, drinks and live entertainment. Maria and I intend to continue our appreciation of the atmosphere and camaraderie of The Black Horse, albeit from more relaxed seats.”
The Black Horse Pub is located in the historic Morrow Building at George and Brock streets, which was built by local architect John Belcher in 1875 and designed in the French Second Empire style. While the post office was an early tenant, subsequent tenants included the Peterborough Club, the YMCA, the Inland Revenue Service, George Mathews Meat Packers, and the Peterborough Light and Power Company. In 1995, the building was restored by Mark Porter.
