CANMORE – The Canmore pub that is a favourite among locals is back in action with additional seating and a bar that has tripled in size.
After an oil rag kitchen fire put the Miner’s Lamp Pub at the Georgetown Inn out of service, management took the opportunity to close down the pub for some needed renovations.
“We are thankful to all the locals for all the support they’ve given us, they’ve been very supportive and patient,” said restaurant manager Jason Hannigan.
Built in the 1990s, the Inn was named after a small mining community established to serve the Georgetown Mine that opened in 1911, according to one of the new menu’s featured historical facts, written right next to the soup, salad and pretzel bun special.
Known for showcasing the valley's mining heritage, Hannigan said they are grateful for the quick response to the fire by Canmore Fire-Resuce, which was able to save the majority of the pub's artifacts and pictures.
“If it wasn’t for the fire department, we wouldn’t have a building right now. Once the smoke alarm went off, they got here in seven minutes,” Hannigan said.
“We are so appreciative of those guys, they are heroes.”
What started as a four day shut down, turned into two weeks, and then into four months, giving management the time to knock down a couple of walls and doorways and extend the former bar.
“There was some smoke damage, but we were able to get everything back and get this place looking like the Georgetown again,” he said.
“Our main focus with the renovation was to give the place a good spruce up, but we tried really hard to remain the character – you know people come here because they love the atmosphere, obviously they love the food but the atmosphere and the character of the place, we really wanted to keep that.”
Now with twice the amount of taps and one of the longest bars in Canmore, the local pub is also known for initiating the Triple Crown of Canmore challenge. If an individual hikes East End of Rundle, Lady MacDonald and Ha Ling Peak (substitute Grotto Canyon while it is closed) in a hiking season, takes a picture of themselves at each summit and posts the photos to the Georgetown’s Facebook page, conquerors will receive a prize including a pint glass and having their names added to the glory board.
Now hikers (and locals and visitors) can celebrate with a pint at one of the longest bars in town and with a slightly changed menu after the pub hired back one of its head chefs they had for seven years previously.
“It was great, we got back all of our staff, which is amazing and rare,” Hannigan said.
“It was a tough start, obviously a lot of kinks to work out but we are definitely back on track now.”
To stop by and see the recently opened Miner’s Lamp Pub, go to 1101 Bow Valley Trail.
