Baker Street was bustling on Friday evening as both the Nelson Squash Club and the Falls Music Lounge in the Savoy Hotel hosted parties.
“We’re open for business every day of the week and we’re seeing new faces coming through the door,” squash club president Pat Hodgson told the Star. “We’re really passionate about this sport and we’re glad to have our lounge back so we can host parties like this one.”
One thing he wants to make clear: “This is not a private club, it’s a community resource.”
And for many people, it’s been a part of their life for decades. Manager Paul Lamoureux has been involved in some capacity with the squash club for 31 years. He was over the moon as visitors packed into the space and kids tried out the courts.
“This is like a new beginning,” Lamoureux. “It really is indescribable that this happened.”
The crowd was treated to musical accompaniment from Dallas Wolbaum, whose children were playing in the courts, and Mayor Deb Kozak and Police Chief Paul Burkart showed up to cut the grand opening ribbon.
Meanwhile, at the Savoy Hotel, owners Jimmy and Jenna Bundschuh hosted an invite-only evening at the Falls Music Lounge, with featured music from DJ Dubconscious and dinner from their chef Grant DeMountriel’s kitchen.
Falls Music Lounge is the second business to open in the historic Savoy Hotel, which is also the home of Bloom Nightclub.
The pair were joined by their infant son Oliver, otherwise known as the Om baby.
“I can’t believe how busy this town is,” Mayor Deb Kozak said at the squash club party. “It seems like there’s a new ribbon cutting every day.”
