Lakeshore Advance, 2012-11-28, Page 2420 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Riverbend Bar and Grill: Locals serving locals for 15 years
Lynda 11111nu n-Rapley
Lakeshore Advance
When the former owner of the
Riverbend told new owner Doreen
lllch this was "not your bar, this is
your locals bar" she had no idea
how true that statement would
become. Now, 15 years later both
her and daughter Tracey know it is
the local support that made them
the success they are today.
It was 15 years ago that Phil and
Doreen decided they wanted to
own their own bar. Doreen had
been in the restaurant business for
many years and wanted to branch
out. They didn't want anything big,
not like the place they saw in
Glencoe, but something quaint
like the 1 lighway 21 bar owned by
Leslie Sawyer. One day they asked
a realtor if it was for sale and Saw-
yer said yes. And so it was to he
July 1 weekend 1997 and the Riv-
erbend with Doreen and Phil was
born. In his own words, Phil
adtnitted he was no waitress but
he gave it a try with Doreen taking
her place in what would heroine a
very busy kitchen. Kim, Milvi and
Lori came with the deal and later
Curt Bower leased the kitchen
with Helen as his assistant. They
changed the name from Benders
Pub and Grill to Riverbend Bar
and Grill.
"We soon learned the locals
New to Grand Bend and area?
Had a New Baby?
Getting Married?
First Time Grandparents?
Starting a Business?
Be sure to call...
:i .COM>t
AGONU
surra 1930
Faye Van Oss
519-238-8048
1.866.573.9941
164
Welcome Wagon has free gifts and
information on behalf of Grand Bend
& area businesses.
www.wekkomcwagon.l'it
riNr
i
MERRY CHRISTMAS
HOURS
Wed. -Sat. • Lunch 12:00.2:OOpm
Thurs.-Sat: Dinner 5:OOpm
Bistro Sundays - 12:00.4:00ish
Christmas Hours:
Open Dec. 23
Reg. service Lunch & Dinner
Dec. 24 - Bistro Sunday Menu
"Happy Holidays"
Closed: Dec. 25.26.27 and 28
Reopening: Dec. 29 and 30
regular menu Lunch & Dinner
NEW YEARS EVE: Dec. 31
Open 7:00 pm 'Cickets on sale now
Jan. 1.2012 - 12:00
New Years Day Brunch
519-238-6224
42 Ontario St. S., Grand Bend
www.finearestaurant.coln
made us feel special and that holds
true today," says Doreen. l Infortu-
'lately, Phil passed away less than
it year litter and I )oreen's daughter
'1 nicey came 01n board to help out.
When you look around the cozy
bar you think sports; there is Nas-
car paraphernalia on the ceilings
and high bar tables and stools but
when you really step inside there
is a comfortable alcove in the Trick
with tables for dining. 'the atmos-
phere is neighbourly and dining
you will want to do. The Riverbend
is known for their Tuesday night
wings and their halibut, their
homemade burgers and their tur-
key. In 15 years those items have
not changed. With time came new
V/t"'
GODERICH 5247811
P RK T TRE
Sea4o#e4
Dec.
23 - 29
WISHING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
ALL THE BEST IN 201 2 and be and
Fri 6:45&0:15
Closed Sat & Sun
Mon - Thur
7:30
Tue & Thur Mat
1:30
0.8
0001
www.nlovielinks
1-800-265-3438
•
A
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NEW YEAR'S EVE
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•
oft MN.
4
Cheers to another 15 years at the
Riverbend with Donny, Doreen and
Tracey and their staff
menu items and more will be added in the
new year.
But at the same time, some things never
change and local suppliers are one of
those staples. I layter's 'Turkey, 'Atsty Nu
bakery, Larry's Al Vegetables and local
grocery stores have become trusted con-
nections for this family business. With the
cosmetic changes you may see in the new
year- the large logo on the east wall will
remain. Original owner, the late Don Beat-
tie painted the full -scaled insignia and
that is going nowhere.
Customers at the Riverbend are like
family and these business owners have
watched as their valued clientele have
married, had children, and over the years
the demographics have changed. 'Tracey
says many of the kids leave town for
school and don't conte back. Another
challenge the area bars faced was the new
alcohol laws- that keeps customers away.
She says there was a time when there was
a lack of cabs but that has changed and
that has helped their business.
As any bar owner will attest to, it is hard
work and in 14 years,'1'rtcey has been so
committed to the operation she has been
away from town only four days.
As July lst was a milestone for her
monis new beginnings, it was for her and
husband Donny Windsor on July 12007
when Jaron was born. She laughs when
she thinks back to the challenge of being a
bar owner and giving birth on a holiday
weekend. "'They got through it and so did
I;' she says.
Sawyer had started the Winter Carnival
Olympics and the annual golf tourna-
ment. Both events have carried o11 with
Tracey taking over the onerous task of
orgauniiing snow boxes for the businesses
and youth. She said she could never have
done this job for so many years had it not
been for Xavier Boogemans. Bud toj
and Kenny Grose were her carvers for 11
first ten years and Bryan Mantz for the
past five. She said it is often difficult to get
the same volunteers year after year but
she is appreciative of those loyal carnival
helpers.
Although the Riverbend are commu-
nity supporters and offer gift certificates
when approached, they are true advo-
cates for the Down Syndrome Society and
have raised $15,000 for the Lambton
chapter since Jaxon was born.
When it comes to entertainment- there
is a new kid on the block and Tracey anti
her mom sing this young man's praises.
Jordan Grainger is a local high school stu-
dent who is going places and these own-
ers see his potential. I le plays at the River -
bend one Sunday a month and will be
part of the 2012 Winter Carnival line-up.
Willie Styles, aka Danny Moon is also a
Riverbend entertainment regular as is
Ihra Renhpel-1 lodgins who also works at
the bar. Karen Smith is in the kitchen with
the help of Jason and Anthony. And the
Riverbend Bar and Grill is still the place to
go for Katntoke nite.
The Riverbend is open seven days a
week for hunch and dinner.
"'This isn't our hobby," says Tracey,
"'This is our livelihood and in these eco-
nomic times you have to work hard to
make a living and that is what we are
doing:'
A regular customer once told Doreen
that the key t0 success is to be a honest
business and that is what this family has
achieved for the past 15 years an(1 will
continue as they raise their glass of cheer
for another 15.
You Top Our List of People to
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
From all of us
r1
yr
CUSTOMER APPRECIATION
DAY
Saturday, Dec. 24th 1- 4 pm
Come in and join us!
NEW YEARS EVE
LIVE MUSIC
"Willy Styles"
Open Dec. 24th 't116 pm
Licensed wrier A(3('(1
CLOSED: Dec. 25th, 26th & Jan. 1stsid
26 ONTARIO ST. S. GRAND SEND r
238-6919
Grp