A historic Victoria brew pub forced to shut down by a raging fire is remarkably back open after just nine days.
Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub opened up for business Friday night – or at least part of it did – as staff try to rebuild after a fire erupted on the second floor last week.
It will be a few weeks before Canada’s oldest brewpub opens its dining room, but drinks and some appetizers will be available until then.
“it’s pretty amazing, and we couldn’t have done it without the amount of support that we’ve gotten from everybody,” said the pub’s general manager Claire Radosevic. “The damage wasn’t as bad as first expected in areas, so we were able to open up our downstairs entrance bar.”
It’s a far cry from what many thought would happen after the fire, which sparked in a second-floor fireplace on Nov. 23.
Dozens of firefighters attacked the blaze, scaling the roof to try to save the historic seaside building.
The quick-working crew was credited for ultimately saving the building – and were thanked appropriately.
“We delivered a swack of beer to the firehall a few days ago,” said pub owner Paul Hadfield.
Hadfield said while insurance could’ve covered wages lost by employees if the building remained closed until all areas could be reopened, he didn’t want to wait.
“We have loss of income insurance, but that’s for the company and that doesn’t address the people who are involved in the company,” he said. “We just felt it was critical that those people who are here with us day in day out, we have to have their back.”
The community has had the beloved pub’s back since the fire broke out, with the Island Chefs Collaborative donating $12,000 to help out.
The downstairs portion of the pub is expected to open by Christmas Day, while the upstairs should be fixed up in time for the Super Bowl in early February.
The decades-old pub is credited with paving the way for modern brewpubs, wineries and distilleries with licensed premises to be able to exist.
With a report from CTV Vancouver Island's Chandler Grieve
