Iqaluit (July 09/04) - After a three-month forced closure, the bar formerly known as Frosty's Arctic Pub re-opened last Thursday under new management and a slightly different name.

New licensee and owner/operator Rick Adams says restoring the bar's image with both the general public and the territories' liquor board may take time.

"I'm excited and optimistic, but on the same hand realizing the task at hand to give the community a nice friendly place to drink," he said.

Following an RCMP investigation into a stabbing in the bar's parking lot in March 2003, the bar was subsequently investigated by the liquor board and found to be in violation of the NWT Liquor Act.

While those involved in the skirmish were served alcohol at Frosty's, evidence admitted at the assault trial -- and at the bar's March 2004 hearing -- place both the victim and the accused in several states of intoxication before arriving at the bar or fighting.

In what the liquor board believed was its harshest sentence ever, Frosty's was slapped with a three-month closure for over-serving. Legal counsel for the board had asked for a three-week closure and a fine.

Over a frosty mug of beer, regular John Heenan expressed his pleasure at the pub's revival.

"It's just great. It's great and about time," he said, raising his glass.

"It never should've been closed in the first place."

Server Rita Kovacs, one of 10 staff laid off due to the bar's closure, was one familiar face to return in addition to several of the Frosty's faithful enjoying a drink.

"It's nice to be home," she said. "And I'm pleased we're open again."