Sydney’s Cambridge Suites hotel sold

SYDNEY — Irwin Simon has checked into the Cambridge Suites Hotel, but not for a one-night stay.

The Glace Bay native was announced Tuesday as the new owner of the Sydney waterfront property. The purchase price was not released.

“He wants to give back to the community and he's chosen us as one of his new projects,” said Michele Bianchini, general manager of the Cambridge Suites Hotel. “We're excited because he's going to give a lot in Cape Breton and not just for the Cambridge Suites.”

Bianchini says Simon plans to significantly invest in the hotel, and bring a modern and revitalized energy to the 30-year-old waterfront property.

“He's going to be putting a lot of money into renovating the suites, the hotel and the restaurant,” said Bianchini. “We're going to be a shiny new nickel on the waterfront.”

Following his time at Saint Mary's University, Simon moved to New York City in 1983 and began working with ice cream company Häagen-dazs, and later went to work for Slimfast, before being fired by that company in 1992.

He went on to help grow the largest natural organic food company in the world, Hain Celestial, with close to 10,000 employees and 40 operating plants. He served as chief executive officer for the company for 25 years, before stepping down in June 2018.

Simon has also invested in the sports community in Atlantic Canada, first becoming a co-owner of the St. John's Edge of the National Basketball League of Canada.

In November 2018, Simon was introduced as the majority owner of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles — now known as the Cape Breton Eagles — of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

In January, Simon was named the new CEO of Aphria Inc., a Canadian company that produces high-quality cannabis.

The Cambridge Suites Hotel has 144 rooms. It was previously owned by Temple Hotels Inc., and managed by Atlific Hotels. Atlific will continue to manage the Sydney location.