Potential deal for Calgary candy man

A financially troubledchocolate shopowner may have found a way of saving his popular Calgary business.

Chocolatier Bernard Callebautwent into receivership earlier this week, with Alberta Treasury Branches claiming it is owed close to $4 million. On Friday morning, Calgary real estate appraiser Bruce Finnigan placed a $5-million offer on land belonging to Callebaut.

The land, a 77-hectare parcel near the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 22, is described as a prime location. Finnigan told the CBChe acted on behalf of a group of pension funds when he made his offer.

"I have performed commercial real estate appraisals for them and they have instructed me to bird-dog for deals," Finnigan said. "Be on the lookout for great corners."

Owner Bernard Callebaut had purchased the land to build a new factory during an ambitious plan for expansion, but he said the economic slumpdevalued the property.

If Finnigan's offer translates into asale, there is a possibility Callebaut's 27-year-old company willget out of receivership.