SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The owner of the Centre Ice Plaza, Polar Developments, is in negotiations with Chef Pierre LePage to purchase all assets belonging to Nico's Market after tensions between the groups reached the boiling point on Thursday night.

Chef Pierre LePage has confirmed to Yellowknifer that Nico's Market – as operated by his company, 9094486 NWT Ltd. – closed on Saturday. Negotiations on a purchase agreement with Polar Developments, owner of the Centre Ice Plaza, were ongoing as of press time. - Guy Quenneville/NNSL photo

The market, which opened early this year after several delays, closed on Saturday after a massive bargain sale that attracted hundreds of shoppers.

In NWT Supreme Court on Friday, LePage's lawyer, Douglas McNiven, said LePage and staff at Polar Developments were "very close" to reaching an agreement.

LePage could not be reached as of press time to confirm whether the deal was finalized.

Spencer Decorby, project manager for Polar Developments, declined to comment on the matter.

What is clear from court documents is that relations between LePage and landlord Polar Developments grew tense in the past week.

According to a sworn oath, LePage stated, "we were locked out of the premises on (Oct. 18) and we have been allowed access to run the store with representatives of Polar allowing access. We have reluctantly gone along with this."

As of Thursday, "I was close to considering an offer" from Polar Developments, stated LePage. Late Thursday night, not only was he locked out but his cube truck was seized by agents of Polar Developments, according to an affidavit.

After the altercation, LePage wrote an e-mail to McNiven in all capital letters: "I will say yes to the deal because I'm hostage and feel like there (are) no other options."

In court Friday, McNiven said up until late last week, LePage still thought he could keep Nico's open and come up with a viable proposal for his creditors. LePage first announced he was undergoing creditor protection in early September, citing a decline in business at all his operations across the city.

"The operator realized he could no longer make a viable proposal while having to pay for the three leasehold premises," said McNiven, referring to L'Heritage Restaurant -- which was to reopen on the top floor of the plaza but has now been scrapped -- Nico's Market and Le Stock Pot Deli & Bakery.

Polar Developments also owns the 53 Street building that housed Le Stock Pot. LePage emptied the store of its contents two weeks ago.

According to a Twitter post under LePage's name, "Le Stock Deli & Bakery to reopen soon at its original location by Subway downtown later this week."

In two previous Twitter posts the same day, LePage states, "Nico's NO MORE! I'm going back at doing what I know best and that is in the kitchen ... My dream restaurant will not happen. Going back full-time at Le Frolic and will make it LE place to eat North of 60."

While it is not known how many staffers worked at NICO's, court documents indicate LePage – who also operates the Bush Pilot Cafe at the Yellowknife Airport – employs more than 80 people overall.

As for what will happen to Nico's Market – the store was named after LePage's step-granddaughter – Rob Curtis, lawyer for Polar Developments, told the court that Polar Developments is seeking to operate the market itself.

According to the proposed purchase agreement submitted to the court Friday, Polar Developments must offer employment of equal or more favourable terms to all employees who were still working at the market as of its last day of operations under LePage.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.