Yellowknife (Feb 24/06) - A little more than a year after waging battle with the territorial government to keep their restaurant at the airport, the Squires family is calling it quits.

Dennis and Vivian Squires were all smiles in December 2004 after learning their restaurant at the airport would be allowed to stay. They plan to retire at the end of March. - NNSL file photo

Dennis Squires, who operates the Navigator restaurant with his wife Vivian, said stress and staff troubles are proving too much to bear.

"Even though we pay top wages in town, it makes no difference," said Squires.

"We've gone through 48 staff since last January."

In 2004, the Squires' were told by officials with the Department of Transportation that the government was considering whether to cancel its contract to make way for a second baggage carousel.

They were also told that the mom-and-pop restaurant could be replaced by a food court-type eatery.

It was only a few months after the Squires had signed a five-year contract with the department in March 2004. They threatened to take the government to court. Ultimately, the government relented and allowed them to stay.

But Squires said he plans to move on at the end of March.

"I'm finding it very hard with the heat and things like that," said Squires, who does most of the cooking.

"The stress is just coming out totally negative against me."

It was the couple's second crack at running the restaurant. They also operated it in the 1990s when it was called the Airporter. Its reputation for home-style cooking grew fast, and even people working downtown began showing up for rib and turkey lunches.

Squires said the couple plans to take a vacation and then return to Yellowknife to look for work.

The government is looking for a new operator willing to take on a five-year lease. The request for proposals closes March 22.

Bob Kelly, a spokesperson for the Department of Transportation, said he isn't aware of any submissions made yet, but said the Squires told them they may stay a little longer if the government has trouble finding a new operator by the end of March.

He said the department doesn't plan to make any changes to the restaurant's existing style, although that will depend on who applies.

Kelly said his department wishes the Squires the best of luck.

"The Squires were outstanding operators," said Kelly.

"They provided great food and services and attracted a large and loyal group of customers."