In April 2011, Clancys’ Restaurant, just north of Lac la Hache, was destroyed by fire.
Since then, there has been the question whether the owner is going to rebuild?
Yes he will, and the plans have been underway since the fire.
In November 2011, the plans were finalized for the new design with a larger convenience store and a neighbourhood pub that will be added to the restaurant. The contractor has been hired and some preliminary groundbreaking work was begun before the snow began to fall.
The gas station will continue to carry gas, diesel, and also facilitate the cardlock.
Angela Dulan and husband, Jim, who managed the restaurant before the fire, will be leasing the restaurant and pub from the owner Ian Kim who will be running the gas station, convenience store and will reside in the residence above the store.
There has been a restaurant/road house on the site for more than 80 years. It was called the Kokanee Lodge and was renamed the Cariboo Place in the mid-1970’s until 1984, when Glen and Norma Clancy purchased the business and renamed it Clancys’ as it is known today.
Glen and Norma put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into building their successful restaurant business that was famous for its good food and decadent desserts.
In 1996, Aggie and Felix Cho purchased the business and along with their son, Jin Cho, who managed the business until it was sold to the present owner in 2008.
Angie Dulan (Thibeault), who had been working at the restaurant since 1988, took over as manager in 2008.
Angie and Jim say they have many plans underway for the restaurant and the pub: “It will be elegant, classy but comfortable.”
The building will be about 7,500 square feet, approximately the same size as the original building.
However, it will be farther back from the highway than its original location, due to the expropriation of land by the highways ministry in the early ‘90s for the expansion of Highway 97.
There will be many energy efficiencies, and a large emergency water tank will be installed.
The pub will be housed at the north end of the building with the restaurant in the centre and the convenience store to the south, so the gas sales will be conducted through the store.
The plans for Clancys’ is for it to be a road stop for travellers, tourists and truckers alike to take a break, enjoy a good meal and even shower and freshen up before they continue on their way or stay in the area.
100 Mile House contractor Serge Fournier has already begun the building project. The forms for the footings in the basement are going in as weather permits. There will be a full basement, main floor and the residence upstairs.
All involved are confident the new Clancys’ will be ready for the open house and grand opening planned for the May long weekend.
There will be approximately 15-18 jobs created in the restaurant and pub and up to six jobs available in the gas station and store. It’s expected some previous employees, who lost their jobs due to the fire, will be returning.
