PROFILE - Prairie Pacific Pubs

PROFILE
E
ntertainment is the key and “serious fun in everything we
do” is the motto for an exciting new chain of pubs in
Edmonton - the Hudsons Canadian Tap House, located in
four distinct clientele-drawing sections of the city.
Surveying the bar scene and finding an abundance of Irish
and English themed pubs, a
group of low profile investors in
Edmonton came up with the idea
of launching a truly Canadian
themed pub - in décor, menu, and
marquée events. Starting with a
concept pub on the south side of
Edmonton in 2003, they brought in live entertainment and created a sports focused atmosphere,
realizing “there are lots of sports that define what
Canada is.” They honed their theme in a short
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by Colleen Stewart
Photography by Ed Ellis
period of time, closed down that pub, decided against live
entertainment, and developed a more efficient supply chain.
They then launched the opening of four pubs in key locations
in rapid order that built on the great northern spirit of Canada, “where every day is Canada Day,” and featuring a truly
delicious and varied higherend pub menu, as well as
loads of enter tainment
options.
Matt Salucop, Marketing
Manager for Hudsons Canadian Tap House, relates that
they launched the first site in Old Strathcona
on Whyte Avenue, where they have attracted the sports enthused younger clientele. It
was on that site that Salucop first got
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The bar provides an ambiance
that is suitable for both
business lunches and a party
night on the weekend.
involved with Hudsons as a bartender
while working his way through a business degree at the University of Alberta.
Their next site was in Oliver Square
downtown, drawing in the 25-40 year
old demographic and students from
Grant MacEwan College. They next
opened on the University of Alberta campus
at the former Scholars
site (formerly The
Library) where they
have attracted university students as well
as faculty and staff.
Then, in July 2008, a
four th
Hudsons
opened in prime West
Edmonton Mall on
Bourbon
Street,
appealing to lots of
shoppers and tourists. You’d think they’d
be concerned with two pubs so close in
locale, (Whyte Avenue and U of A site),
but they’ve actually both been very successful.
Hoping to standardize operations as
efficiently as possible while still a small-
er company in Edmonton, Hudsons is
looking to expand in Calgary, Western
Canada, and across the country. Developing a host of activities that will create
entertainment experiences for a new
generation, the parent company of
Gateway Entertainment feels they’ve
now got the concept
down well. This begs
the question about
franchising and yes,
that’s a definite possibility, Salucop says,
once they feel they
have concentrated a
little more on human
resources, cost control systems, and
front- and back-ofhouse training.
Some of the big
draws of Hudsons Canadian Tap House
are their nightly marquée specials at all
locations, such as Halftizer Tuesdays,
and Mini Burger Thursdays, as well as
the Canadian House Party on Saturdays, which brings in the most business, Salucop says. A weekly pub
Some of the
big draws of
Hudsons
Canadian Tap
House are their
nightly marquée
specials at all
locations,
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Dark rich tones help to create an
authentic pub atmosphere.
Menu selections
such as Soup du
Jour are touted
to be “delicious
in either of
our official
languages.
crawl sponsored by Gateway Entertainment that takes in Hudsons as
well as other pubs can be booked
online through Ticket Master for reasonable rates, encouraging responsible drinking amongst groups traveling together. These events can be
keyed to special holidays and celebrations like the recent Mardi Gras,
and St. Patrick’s Day.
One of the challenges Hudsons has
seen relates to developing food menu
consistency. They found for example
that one site was not making the same
burger as another site and shortly there48
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Congratulations
from
Sani-Service
Edmonton.
Very proud to be suppliers of hand soaps,
sanitization, germ and odor control programs
for the Hudsons Group. 780-448-0977
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49
Hudsons private room and bar overflow.
after sourced a local supplier who
could make them fresh, not frozen.
Thus, Hudsons is proud to say that their
beef burger choices are “Fresh Never
Frozen Hudsons own seasoned, hand
pressed 8-oz beef patties made from
the freshest Grain Fed AAA Alberta
Ground Chuck.” This and other chal-
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lenges have been met with great support and credit goes to the operations
team at head office, says Salucop.
The menu specializes in burgers and
wings, although they have also developed several creative choices amongst
which are a selection of soups and
greens, sammies on panini loaves, and
traditional entrées. Menu selections
such as the Soup du Jour are touted to
be “delicious in either of our official
languages. The Sault Ste. Marie Chicken Salad and Maple BBQ Baby Back
Ribs, the Cowpoke Steak Sandwich, PEI
potato skins, and Atlantic Butterfly
Shrimp are just a few examples of how
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Springboard is proud to be a
Hudsons Canadian Taphouse
Business Partner
Treat every client as an individual!
Springboard Communication Inc.
11817 - 105 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5H 0L9
708.447.1226 • 1.888.441.1226
We’re in good company
Two of the world’s highest quality and most recognized names in Foodservice
Frenched
Lamb Rack
Frenched Bone-In Rib Steak
See our other great products @
www.intercitypackers.ca
VANCOUVER
EDMONTON
TORONTO
(604) 291-7791
1-800-465-5545
(780) 477-7373
1-800-661-5183
(905) 670-1023
1-866-665-1066
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51
The mission
statement for
Gateway and
Hudsons is
“to actualize
positive reactions
in all of our
customers.”
The bar provides both prompt and
friendly service.
this company has focused on Canadiana in the menu to appeal to its young,
energetic crowd, who are seeking just
that Canadian identification.
Experiencing the ambiance of the
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West Edmonton Mall Hudsons, with its
prompt, friendly service, is like walking
into a classy party at a friend’s private
club - surrounded by elegant, warm,
dark wooden counters; a variety of bar
stool, bench, or tabled arrangements; a
number of discreet, but also proudly displayed Canadian flags in eye-level niches; and no less than 37 LCD screens
throughout the bar for sports viewing of
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The menu for the bar specializes in burgers and wings, but is also developing several creative
choices for patrons’ palates.
Oilers and Eskimo games. The atmosphere is relaxing, soothing, suitable for
a business or casual lunch during the
day, and a few cold ones, and revs up
for party night on the weekends. Customers have enthusiastically commented
about the authentic artifacts and decor,
the Canadiana we hunger for - oak
tubs, maple leaf pails, wagon wheels,
lobster traps, the beaver, and nary a
suggestion of feigned Irish or English
antiquities in the entire place.
The mission statement for Gateway
and Hudsons is “to actualize positive
reactions in all of our customers, staff,
suppliers, and people we serve.” They
feel they have met a good balance in
the city without over-saturating their
concept. Their focus now is to continue
to build on the Canadiana model, continue to attract the clientele in the
diverse demographic that has responded to the key concepts with such enthusiasm, and to look forward to expansion. They have tapped into a truly spirited Canadian archetype in the bar and
beverage industry that`s been long
overdue and Hudsons is sure to enjoy
continued success with its pivotal concept now that it’s been announced
Edmonton will host the 2010 Grey
Cup. Watch out!
♣
Congratulations
Proud Suppliers of
Hudsons Canadian Tap House
BROKEL STAINLESS
Brokel IndustrIes Inc.
10917-120st. edmonton AB. t5H 3P9
tel (780) 447-1730,1-800-447-6980 Fax (780) 447-1731
www.BrItesteel.com
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