Bistro takes on new look
New owner's new look for the Gold Range restaurant includes paint, art and new menu items this fall
Karen K. Ho
Northern News Services
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The walls of the Gold Range Bistro are finally the colour Mary Colbourne wants.
Mary Colbourne sits inside the Gold Range Bistro. The long-time waitress took ownership of the restaurant in March. In addition to painting the walls and new art, Colbourne plans on eventually laying new floors and offering a new menu for the fall. - Karen K. Ho/NNSL photo
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"For years, I've wanted to paint this place," she told Yellowknifer. "Now if something needs to be fixed, I fix it."
So after the long-time waitress took over as owner of the infamous diner-slash-Chinese restaurant in early March, she purchased 11 cans of paint. Colbourne has also acquired new art for the walls, a new television and commissioned work on the front stairs.
There was no specific budget set for the interior upgrades, but Colbourne estimated she's spent about $2,500 to $3,000 on items so far and recruited the help of her sister and her two sons.
There are also future plans to lay a new floor and redo the menu in October or November later this year.
For the most part, Colbourne said things haven't really changed after she assumed ownership because she was already at the restaurant every day.
"In my eyes, there's no boss," she said. "Everyone's a team."
However, she said customers have definitely spoken to her about the shift in positions, offering congratulations and support.
Business has also picked up approximately 20 per cent since the change in ownership.
"The month of March was phenomenal," she said. "I picked up the ice road charge account for the truckers. It was awesome."
The pace of the additional business did result in Colbourne and her partner, Shawyne Lemouel, postponing their wedding plans.
"We're still together and everything's good," she said with a laugh, adding that her daughter recently got married.
"We're going to do it on our own time."
For years, people told Colbourne she was "just a waitress," but that didn't discourage her from her dreams of owning her own restaurant. She definitely feels more confident.
"I've gotten everything I ever wanted in my whole life," she said.
When it came to advice for other women looking to become business owners or entrepreneurs, Colbourne didn't hold back.
"I believe if you want something bad enough, you can go get it, don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't," she said. "Don't let a man tell you that you can't do this."
