An iconic Okotoks restaurant is handing over the reins to new owners after over four decades in business.
Big Rock Inn, serving Chinese cuisine since 1983, will be making a big change but serving the same food.
At the end of May, the Okotoks institution will be welcoming new owners.
The soon-to-be new owners of the Big Rock Inn currently operate New Golden National Family Restaurant in High River.
"They've been running that for eight years, so they've been very successful over there, and they want to take on a new challenge of a bigger place which is ours," said Herman Kwan, son of the current owner.
A lot has changed since the restaurant opened, said Kwan, who joined the family business in 1987.
"When I came... there was nothing beyond Waldron Avenue, so a lot has changed."
During that time, the restaurant has had a substantial impact on the community, including being the place where the Rotary Club of Okotoks was founded in 1989.
"My dad was Rotarian as well, so he was a charter member," said Kwan. "The Rotary started here at the restaurant, so they had meetings here, they had dinner here and so on."
The business has also had some lows.
"We've gone through many, many issues with the restaurant," said Kwan. "We had a flood in I don't know what year... so we had a big flood, we had three feet of water flowing through, and so literally it took us six months to reopen."
With the restaurant's storied past, Kwan hopes to see the new owners live up to its legacy in the Okotoks community.
"We're passing the torch and I wish for success to the new owners," he said. "They have a vision that would carry on the name of Big Rock Inn, and we know they will do well."
Going forward, Kwan will consider himself semi-retired and help his brother run the Mini Melts location in Airdrie.
"For us, it's coming to an end. It's sad, but we gotta move on."
The new owners will be hosting a celebration on Saturday, June 1 from 3 to 8 p.m. with 30 per cent off the buffet.
Big Rock Inn is located at 101 Elizabeth St.
