BANFF – Mel’s – as it has been affectionately known since 1978 – has been saved.
Melissa’s Restaurant and Bar, a locally owned and operated restaurant, is reopening its business in the former location of Wild Bill’s Legendary Saloon, which closed its doors at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March.
“It’s great to have some good news in 2020,” said Bunny Julius, an owner of Melissa’s, who noted he hopes Mel’s will open in mid-January.
“It’s an iconic restaurant that’s been around for 43 years and we’re excited about moving into an iconic location.”
Officials with Banff Caribou Properties recently offered the space to Mel’s, noting Wild Bill’s was a COVID-19 casualty and never reopened after closing in March at the beginning of the pandemic.
Gord Lozeman, Caribou Properties’ president and CEO, said the company has been looking for a new tenant for the high-profile location since Wild Bill’s officially gave back the keys in October.
“Credit should be given to Bunny and his team for having the energy and expertise to get it going again, especially given these turbulent times,” he said.
“We’re excited about the new and improved Mel’s, and think they’ll do well.”
Lozeman said Melissa’s Restaurant and Bar is a great fit for Caribou Properties.
“It’s a proven concept with local ownership who aren’t afraid of rolling up their sleeves, and who understand the unique challenges of running a business in Banff,” he said.
“And we definitely have a bias to local ownership, mostly because that’s who we are. “
Mel’s – famous for its steaks, breakfasts and as local hangout – was opened by the Borden family in 1978 in a 1913-19 heritage building on Lynx Street, a prominent local landmark that was then part of the Homestead Inn.
In 1990, the Bordens sold the restaurant to a group of long-term employees.
Julius, who started as a dishwasher at Mel’s in 1985 and then spent 22 years as a bartender there, bought the business in 2010.
But Mel’s closed at the end of September 2019 when the owner of the building – Fuji Starlight Express – began preparations for renovation and restoration of the historic building alongside construction of a new 71-room hotel next door.
In early March, a grass-roots movement sprung up to try to save Melissa’s when word got out that the lease for Melissa’s Restaurant and Bar had not been renewed.
Efforts to encourage the landlord to renew the lease for Mel’s included a march of at least 50 people on Lynx Street on March 1 and a creation of Facebook group #SaveMel’s, which had 3,000 members within days.
Julius said the community support for the local business didn’t surprise him, but he was very grateful.
“We’ve always known this support was there,” he said.
For now, Julius said the restaurant is planning a large renovation of the new space and plans on bringing in live music and entertainment.
“We’re just so excited to be opening again,” he said.
