Kilt and Castle to stay open
Kitchen closes while pub seeks upstairs tenant; for-sale building won't affect operations at all, says owner
Erin Steele
Northern News Services
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
While the owner of the Kilt and Castle Pub is encouraging patrons to bring-their-own-food to the downtown night spot, he is quelling the "rumours" the bar is closing for good.
Benoit Boutin, the executive director of the Francophone Affairs Secretariat, seen here last summer talking to media about advances in French communications, is in charge of overseeing the GNWT's massive rollout of French communications. - NNSL file photo
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"People in town had been telling people we had already closed our doors," Bob Stewart told Yellowknifer by phone Thursday.
In fact, just the kitchen closed in mid-April, he said, but it will re-open with a new menu.
"I closed the kitchen so that I could sublet the upstairs to a restaurant. That's in the works right now," said Stewart, adding he expects a deal to be inked within the next couple weeks. He declined to name those he is in discussions with.
The Kilt and Castle operated its restaurant space almost solely out of the downstairs part of the building, although its kitchen is upstairs. There is also a restaurant space upstairs, which the Kilt rarely used.
The new operator would run the kitchen, which would make food for Kilt and Castle customers downstairs, plus it would operate its own restaurant upstairs, which seats about 30 people, said Stewart.
"I'm a one-man operation so it's easier for me to rent and split the utilities and allow somebody else to worry about the food side of things," he said.
The tenant, who would sublet the space from the Kilt, would also be responsible for the Kilt and Castle's menu.
"I'd collaborate with them, whatever they're open to, but at the end of the day it's their operation so whatever food they decide to produce, they'll produce," said Stewart.
"The menu will definitely change."
In the meantime, he says, patrons are welcome to pack a snack for their night out, or order in.
"They can bring Subway, people order Boston Pizza in the bar. You can order from anywhere in town or bring your own food," he said.
The building, which the Kilt and Castle leases, is also on the market for $900,000. According to Stewart, this will not affect operations at all.
"I have a five-year lease with an option to renew so whether the building sells or not, the company is still going to just continue," said Stewart. He added it is an option for the Kilt and Castle to purchase the building itself.
"It's a possibility, assuming the building's right," he said.
"There's a lot of finances to look into. I don't think I'd be making any decision on that very quickly."
The Kilt and Castle opened last August as an Irish Pub, and much of the décor boasts that theme.
Stewart said the Kilt's food was "very good food," and once the restaurant got over a few hitches, the kitchen was producing top-notch food by January.
"We really got nothing but compliments on almost everything," he said.
"But as far as the expense of running the kitchen and the drain on me, my time it took overseeing it, it was too much."
Most recently the building held Sunny's Restaurant, Bistro and Sports Bar. Prior to that it was Le Frolic Bistro Bar.
