SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Those who were hoping to enjoy a pint and meal at the city's much-anticipated Woodyard Brewhouse and Eatery in Old Town are going to have to wait until the fall.
Miranda Stevens rings up a customer buying merchandise while her husband Fletcher Stevens builds boxes in front of the beer brewing tanks at the Woodyard, the couple's brewhouse and gastropub. Delays have pushed the opening date until the fall. - Karen K. Ho/NNSL photo |
This past weekend, Fletcher Stevens and Miranda Stevens, the co-owners of the NWT Brewing Company, showed off the beer brewing tanks and new merchandise featuring the Woodyard's mint green, black and white circular logo during the Old Town Ramble and Ride festival.
But the couple said delivery delays, the falling Canadian dollar and taking on most of the construction work themselves has pushed the 112-seat restaurant project far beyond the expected summer start.
"One of the reasons why it's taking so long is because inside, all the little details, we want it to be right and virtually everything is handmade," Miranda said.
"We're getting closer and closer and closer, just little other things set you back," Fletcher said.
The change in seasons and the removal of the fencing around the area have also caused additional delays.
"We've found it was a lot easier to get things done in the wintertime because everyone is working," Miranda said. "In the summertime, everyone goes on holidays. When you're trying to get things done, it's been a definite challenge. Lots of out-of-office replies."
As a result, the Stevens', along with head chef Michael Pacey and brewery manager Devin Vranckaert, took over much of the Woodyard's construction themselves, including the bathrooms, all the tables, as well as various finishes, wooden accent walls, industrial piping and even refitting equipment to run on propane instead of natural gas.
Miranda said that being in Yellowknife itself has also caused many of the shipping delays for equipment and other supplies.
"Virtually everything that's in here came from down south," she said. "Everything has to get trucked in and then you're waiting on shipping quotes, trying to get the best rates. It's been pretty tough when you're bringing in pallets of things."
They've also become crafty about reusing delivery and construction materials. Some of the wood inside the restaurant came from the large beams of raw Douglas fir used to transport the brewing tanks. They are also looking into converting a large wooden construction spindle into a table for the Woodyard's patio.
"Why not?" Miranda said. "Everything adds up. I'm not just going to throw it out and have someone chop it and put it in their fireplace."
With the removal of the construction fence, potential customers have also been regularly peeking into the site. Fletcher estimated there were seven to eight visitors a day, each of them resulting in small chats but it leads to hours of additional work delays.
For those customers looking to support the company's beer brewing business, NWT Brewing was also selling brown glass beer growlers and packs that included two clear pint glasses. The refillable growlers, glass jugs that are available in two sizes, allow customers to purchase multiple pints of beer at one time. In the future, the growlers will be sold and refilled in a special waiting area along with the other company merchandise. Kegs of various sizes will also be available for other restaurants and private events.
Yellowknife residents Len Smith and Donna Bigelow had never owned or used growlers before, but each purchased one on Saturday.
"It's a way of supporting them," he said.
The company plans on having six of their own beers on tap in the restaurant and feature six other kinds from other breweries. After a caustic cleaning of the various brewing tanks, Fletcher and Miranda said beer brewing is scheduled to start this week.
For now, Miranda still retains her other job with Westjet at the Yellowknife airport, which has helped when she has needed to fly down south to check out or order supplies and equipment.
And as for the number of new restaurants in the city that have opened recently or announced they will be opening soon, Miranda said she and Fletcher weren't worried.
"I think competition is healthy," she said." There's more than enough business for everybody."
