The owner of award winning Christchurch restaurant Cafe Valentino has sold the business after 29 years.

In a Facebook post, Michael Turner said “In 1991, I opened Cafe Valentino. The goal was to provide affordable Italian dining in a vibrant fun atmosphere.”

“Some 29 years and a million and a half diners later I think we were pretty well spot on.”

“But, all things must come to an end and the time has come for me to say goodbye to Cafe Valentino.”

Michael Turner said looking back, there have certainly been trials, great highs, great lows, nights that you wondered if you would ever get through it “ but the next day you would start all over again.”

“Then there were the earthquakes, both should have finished the business, but we found the will to survive.”

In late April this year Michael Turner told Newstalk ZB it was tough going after lockdown, and more people were interested in fast food.

In 2016, Beef + Lamb New Zealand honoured Mr Turner for his dedication to the industry.

In 2018, Mr Turner was awarded “Hospo Hero of the Year” at the Christchurch Hospitality Awards.

Broadcaster Mike Yardley paid tribute to Michael on the restaurant’s public Facebook post saying “You’re a trooper Michael.”

“Always a pleasure dealing with you. I’ll never forget the day we spoke on radio, as defence force staff inside the cordon sat on your restaurant chairs in the middle of Colombo St, while barring you access.”

On Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th Cafe Valentino will be closed.

It will reopen under new ownership on Wednesday.