Visitors and locals alike know that it’s the kind of place that you won’t find anywhere else. It’s worn around the edges, even “falling apart,” as owner Glenn Cormier will tell you. But this is the kind of place where aesthetics have never mattered.
The Bowen Island Pub has been iconic in the cove, anchoring the corner of Bowen Trunk Road and Dorman Road with amusing messages on it’s sign board, and bulky blue barn appearance.It draws boaters in summer and dances in the winter. When a band is playing there’s 19-year-olds dancing alongside the seniors in the community. The layout is bad, the dance floor barely there and the stage for the band is always cramped to overflowing, but it’s a part of community life. There’s been a ska band complete with two trumpets, a saxophone, drummer, guitarist and singer rocking that stage. The local bands including Black Molly, Ginger 66, Walk on Dead, The Adam Woodall Band, and numerous others know that stage like their own instruments. When a good band is playing, word gets out and the place is packed from one end to the other. Movember moustaches have been shaved off at the pub, birthdays celebrated, and dark days have been danced away. People meet there for a beer or some gossip and a bite to eat.
Even though the location offers mountain views off the patio for daytime noshing on fish and chips, it’s the evenings when the pub rocks into life.
“Since we took over we’ve seen the business grow,” says Cormier, “on rib nights there’s not enough tables and chairs for everyone.”
The new pub will have a better layout, and a better kitchen for preparing foods for dinners for families. He would like the new pub to be a place where seniors are comfortable coming for some fish and chips and families can come and feel welcome, away from the bar.
The new pub will rise from the current parking lot, while the old building waits to be torn down and replaced with townhouses and condos. The ground level of the pub will be used as retail space and staff accommodation will be build above the pub.
The plan for the second building is for four two-level townhouses (1,500 to 1,600 sq. ft. each.) On the ground level there will be a couple apartments, more retail space and underground parking. “People are already asking us to put their names in for a place,” says Cormier. ”There’s a lot of demand for something like this.” He thinks that this sort of condo development in the cove will be ideal for people wanting to downsize but have no small home options on the island. “Now people keep asking when is it going to happen?”
He says though he’s “been anxious to get this thing going,” he knew from the time he bought it that he was taking on a big project. “It’s proven to be a good business, but it’s always been a question as to whether the building would survive.” Cormier feels that this development will give the cove a much-needed facelift and that this prime location ”deserves so much more.”
While it will be a big change for the cove, the new business will also be a big change for the whole Cormier family, including teenager Farrah, and wife Meredith, who moved here four years ago when they took over the pub. ”We’ve been in transition for the last four years,” laughs Glen. “It’s been a very welcome one,” he adds.
His business partner Nick, along with his wife Connie, and toddler son Wyatt, are also in transition, as they get ready to move to Bowen when their house in King Edward Bay is built. “I’m really excited,” says Connie, who has already had a chance to meet the neighbours.
“We took a big leap of faith when we bought the pub. I had never been here before when I heard about the pub being for sale,” says Cormier. “It was a big risk, but the community embraced us. It’s been great.”
Meredith is very happy with the way things have come together for their family. “I used to come to Bowen twenty years ago,” she says. “I love it here and because of having the pub we’ve met so many people.”
The owners expect it will be a year and a half until the new pub is open, but the old pub will hold the space until the new building is erected.
Even though the Bowen Island Pub sign is down, the pub will keep on rocking. This weekend Black Molly takes to the stage for covers of great dance tunes and another rib-fest is on the calendar.
