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Old Fire Hall to find new life as pub
By Ian Cobb/e-KNOW
The former Fire Hall No. 1 on 11th Avenue South is getting a brand new lease on life, thanks to its recent purchase from the City of Cranbrook by Red Brick Enterprise Limited.
Mayor Lee Pratt, members of council and city senior staff members met with Red Brick owners Jesse Roberts and Fred Williams this morning outside the old fire to learn more about their plans for the 88-year-old heritage building.
The new owners intend to turn the building, which they paid the city $195,000 for, into a dining and drinking establishment called the Fire Hall Kitchen and Tap.
“If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck – call it the fire hall!” Roberts quipped about the name of the soon-to-be establishment.
Cranbrook born Roberts explained the exterior of the building will largely retain its heritage look but the interior needs extensive work.
“The façade will stay the same, for sure. The idea is to retain the heritage look. The general look will stay the same,” he said.
Roberts and Williams both noted they believe Cranbrook needs another downtown pub.
“There is a massive need in our generation and demographic” for such an establishment, Roberts said, outlining, “We and our friends are constantly driving to Kimberley” to visit that city’s restaurants and pubs.
Roberts and Williams describe themselves as young entrepreneurs, husbands and dads who live, work and play in Cranbrook and region. Both have owned and operated businesses in the past and are aware of the many highs and lows that can come with these types of projects.
They are excited for the challenge and are thrilled to be the next custodians of the iconic building.
“By opening a Kootenay style restaurant and tap house we aim to restore this historic building to its former glory and make it more accessible to East Kootenay dwellers,” said Roberts. “For its beauty, this building requires extensive work to ensure it stays with the community.”
“We are excited to join the ranks of the great businesses in Cranbrook’s downtown core. These businesses and restaurants have started a trend toward local food and brews and we are excited to contribute,” said Williams. ”We feel there is great potential in Cranbrook for an establishment that caters to families, foodies, outdoor enthusiasts, and professionals who enjoy a good brew in a casual setting. Ours will be an atmosphere worthy of the downtown and the bones of this building.”
Mayor Pratt agreed.
“I’m excited for it. It’s taken a while but we’re really excited about the plans for it,” he said, adding dealing with the old fire hall was an election promise. “This is going to be a good fit for the downtown.
“We are very pleased that the fire hall has been purchased and will become a restaurant and tap house,” he stated, adding, “Once the renovations are complete this will be a great addition to the business community and one more step to council’s goal and vision of the revitalization of the downtown core.”
Something had to be done with the building, Pratt continued. “It’s been sitting here deteriorating. We did the right thing for the city and the taxpayers.”
The Mayor admitted the price of the hall was dropped from $349,000 in 2014/15, mostly thanks to being appraised after the original asking price was set.
“We gave a little bit up on it but these guys were ready to go,” he said.
Roberts said it has been a positive experience working with the city.
“City council and the mayor’s office have been very supportive and with their help, we will begin construction as soon as possible to open for business in early 2018,” he said, adding, “it is our promise that although we have purchased the building, it will always be your Fire Hall No. 1.”
Happening by during the brief gathering outside the old fire hall was Dave Humphrey, a member of the City of Cranbrook Heritage Committee.
After introductions he implored the new owners to keep the “big oak table” located upstairs in the hall, as it is the former city council table.
Roberts replied they intend to keep it as a central piece.
Williams said he expects renovation and refurbishment work to be completed and the new business ready to open by “possibly early spring” 2018.
Work has already begun inside the building, while asbestos issues were dealt with a couple of years ago.
Fire Hall No. 1 was constructed in 1929 and was in use by Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services until March 31, 2011, when operations were officially moved to the new fire hall on 2nd Street South.
It originally cost $12,144 to construct the fire hall.
Above photo: Cranbrook Fire and Emergency Services Chief Wayne Price, City of Cranbrook chief administrative officer David Kim, Mayor Lee Pratt, Jesse Roberts and Fred Williams, new owners of the property, and Coun. Ron Popoff gather in front of Fire Hall No. 1 this morning (June 27) to officially launch the refurbishment process of the hall, expected to cost in the neighbourhood of $1 million. Ian Cobb/e-KNOW photos
