HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1985-09-25, Page 30•
Two young men who *earned of
owni g, the* ow4a reMerant have
made that. d renlity twice
within two I! .
Bob McGregor and -Dale DOM are
the creators' of "Robindale's" of
Qderich and Exeter. They've put
re than just their names into the
tries they renovated as restaurants
-'they've put their hearts in as well,
Being single is an advantage, ac-.
cording to Rob and Dale, when you
consider the incredibly long hours
they put in.."We did about 85 percent
of the renovation work ourselves,"
Rob said.
The pair met as teenagers in Kin-
cardine while working at the Sutton
Park Inn. After about six years lear-
ning the ropes, and.diplomas in Hotel
Management from Fanshawe Col-
lege,. they were ready for a bigger
challenge.
So the Beverage Manager and'
Assistant Innkeeper teamed up and
"begged, borrowed and stole" enough
money to buy and old house on a main
corner of Goderich that a friend told
them was for sale. That house
became the first "Robindale's", and
they've never looked back.
They tried to keep as many of the
original details of the homes as possi-
ble. That hasn't always been easy.
For example, 'in Goderich the
.only place they could put the
Supptoomot to Tho Cioderich Signal -Star, Clinton News Record. Mitchell Advocate, Seafosrtb Horan Expositor,
Exeter TImos . ocato. St. Marys Journal.Argus, Parkhill Garotte and Strathray e19p-Dlspatch, Wrdoasday,
September 23.
washrooms was in an old coalbin
downstairs. They decided to leave the
original brickwork intact, and have
retained a coalbin atmosphere, 'With
tools hanging on the walls but new
tiles on the floor. Goderich had other
details to preserve like three cherry -
wood fireplaces and a lovely front
porch.
The new "Robindale's" in Exeter
was in better shape when they found
it, much of the ornate • woodwork
already having been restored by the
previous owners, Dr. and Mrs. Ralph
Topp. They've decorated it in green
and blue, with beautiful wallpaper,
china and linens carrying through the
colours. As well as the dining room
downstairs, subdivided into several
nooks, there are small comfortable
parlours upstairs where guests can
have their dessert and'coffee.
Rob and Dale never expected to ex-
pand so quickly, but it "just seemed
'fated", Dale said. "We were driving
through Exeter on our way to London,
and we passed this house we liked. I
took the address down, and we joked
about how in maybe two or three
years we might buy i<t," Dale said.
TwQ weeks later on their way back
to London they saw .it was for sale.
"We thought we were moving too fast,
but, we were able to get financing bas-
ed on the success of Goderich," Rob
explained. So they took the plunge and
eter while Rob runs things back in
Goderich.
The new "Robindale's" is following
the traditions set by the old. "We
never want people to go away
hungry", the pair said. "Better too
much than too little – you don't go out
to diet," Rob added.
The menu emphasizes traditional
favourites like steak and seafood,
chicken cordon bleu and pork
tenderloin. Dinner is a leisurely affair
that may consist of several courses -
rolis with homemade butter, an ap-
petizer such as escargot or pate,
Please turn to page 4
YOUNG RESTAURANTEERS — Dale Dolson and Rob
McGregor in4'Robindale's" restaurant , Exeter.
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