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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, September 27, 2013 | 8 Popular El Spero gets a temporary reprieve on its future by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff El Spero Family Restaurant has been granted a reprieve -- if only a temporary one. The restaurant's co-owner Steve Kotfopoulos, who runs the eatery with his brother Don, announced Tuesday the former Hopedale Mall, now South Oakville Centre, establishment's lease has been extended until June 2014. The lease was scheduled to end at the end of September, which would have meant the closure of El Spero as the mall owner, Calloway REIT, was not expected to renew it. ESTATE AUCTION Tuesday Oct 1 @ 5:30 pm. Preview from 4:30. At The King's Court Banquet Hall 1159 King Rd., Burlington, ON. An Outstanding Estate Auction from The Clement Gonsalves Collection. To include: William Chandler orig. Art Collection, quantity of Royal Doulton, Royal Albert, Minton, Great collection of Antique Furnishings, Alibaster floor lamps, Bronze, Crystal, Silver, Porcelain. Cash, Visa, MC, Debit, All Items Sell "As Is", 10% Premium, Hst. PLEASE CHECK THE PICTURES ON OUR WEB SITE WWW.SHAFERAUCTION.COM SHAFER AUCTION CO. LTD. · 905-634-6300 As of deadline yesterday (Thursday) Calloway REIT had not returned the Oakville Beaver's calls seeking comment. "We're happy we have some time anyway. That's nice," said Kotfopoulos. "Whether we are going to relocate -- I'm not really sure, but this will give us some time to do some planning." El Spero's impending closure created widespread discontent throughout the community with the Beaver being inundated with calls and emails back in June from residents upset the restaurant's 40-year run was coming to an end. It opened in 1973. More than 1,300 people signed an online petition on www.change.org asking the mall's owners to keep El Spero Family Restaurant. Members of the nearby St. Dominic's Roman Catholic Church congregation started a similar petition. "The community support has been great and that really is the reason we got the extension," said Kotfopoulos. "This is all about the people in the community who helped us out." While the extension has given the restaurant employees some much needed time to breathe, the ultimate future of the establishment is still very much in doubt. Kotfopoulos said he is uncertain whether a lease renewal or another extension will We're happy we have some time anyway. That's nice. Whether we are going to relocate -- I'm not really sure, but this will give us some time to do some planning. Steve Kotfopoulos El Spero owner happen after June 2014. "It's really up to the mall. I can't really say if we have a chance or not. It's up to them if they want to extend it further or go in a new direction," he said. "Ideally, we would like to stay where we are. We don't want to close up, but if things don't work out I guess that's what is going to happen." The mall has been undergoing what it describes as a major facelift that will include expansion to accommodate a restaurant and new retail shops, a new food court, aesthetic improvements and new entrances. Target has also opened at the previous Zellers location. You're always welcome. Come see us today. · Thorough, consistent and reliable home cleaning · 100% satisfaction guaranteed · Regular and occasional service · Spring Cleaning · Gift Certificates e-mail: anderson@mollymaid.ca Oakville Parent-Child Centre is a place to make friends, share ideas, and build confidence. Some spaces still available for nursery school for children 18 months to 5 years 2 or 3 half days At our North Service Rd W, Florence and Sixth Line locations Oakville Parent-Child Centre Learn & Grow at Come see us today at 461 North Service Rd. W., Unit 17 www.op-cc.ca www.mollymaid.ca Contact us today for a free, no-obligation, in-home estimate: no-obligation, in-home estimate: Contact us today for a free, 905-681-7484 905.849.6366