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Pub's new owners plan to restore Fernwood icon
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Font: * * * * Darron Kloster, Times Colonist
Published: Saturday, August 19, 2006
The new owners of the George & Dragon in Fernwood plan to refurbish the landmark pub and apartments in the style of Swans Hotel downtown.
Jeffrey and Chris Wilson say they want to return the 1910 building to its former heritage glory and bring back its former name, the Fernwood Inn.
"We see it as very Swan-esque ... powder yellow paint and black trim, lots of flowerpots and bottom-up lighting," Jeffrey Wilson said Friday.
"It's a beautiful Tudor-style building and the centre point of a very unique neighbourhood."
The Wilsons, both long involved in the local nightclub and restaurant scene, bought the building this month for $1.4 million from Al and Dale Sproule, owners for the past 12 years.
The renovation is already underway. Wilson would not reveal construction costs, but called them "substantial."
An opening date is set for early October.
The pub will cover the entire ground floor. The corner shop at Fernwood Road and Gladstone Avenue -- most recently home to a kilt manufacturing shop and prior to that a hair salon -- will be incorporated into the pub plan as the main entrance. Large windows are being installed at street level and the patio and brick barbecue will be rebuilt as part of the pub and for Sunday brunches. All heritage qualities of the building -- which had an addition in 1982 -- will be uncovered or enhanced, from tin roofing to hardwood floors, said Wilson.
The eight apartments above the pub will be maintained and refurbished as tenants move in and out, he added.
"I've never been involved in something that's been so strongly embraced by the community and city council," said Wilson, adding he and Chris plan a block party and pig roast before the opening to show appreciation to the neighbourhood. The pub, kitty-corner from the Belfry Theatre and a stone's throw from Vic High, has been the centre of the Fernwood neighbourhood for nearly a century.
The Wilsons roll decades of experience into the project. Jeffrey has been involved in the Boom Boom Room, Diesel Cabaret, Al Capone's and Wasteland while Chris, a Real Seal chef, has worked at 6 Mile Pub, opened the Sticky Wicket, and was recently with Amelia Street Bistro.
