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Overhaul at Hoz’s

Long-time local watering hole gets new ownership, name and a facelift

For the past 14 years, Karen Roland’s smiling face could be found at Hoz’s Pub and El Tipo’s Mexican Grill, both long-time Creekside fixtures, associated with a pint of beer or a plate of nachos.

Roland has lived in Whistler for nearly 20 years now, and first started as a hostess at the restaurant almost 14 years ago, where she eventually worked her way up to waitressing and bookkeeping for the owner, Ron Hosner.

But since May 1, she’s been taking on more of a management role with the business. With the help of family members, Roland is the new owner and operator of Hoz’s, El Tipo’s and the Beer and Wine Store.

Roland said Hosner had been thinking about selling the business for a few years, and finally decided to put it on the market last spring.

“This wasn’t something that I was looking for,” Roland said. “It was just an opportunity that presented itself and I thought, ‘wow, well if it’s opportunity knocking quite loudly at the door, perhaps I should answer that door.’”

She made an offer last June, which Hosner accepted, but there were a few delays with the deal.

“It took a while to get everything signed, sealed and delivered, but it’s finally happening,” Roland said.

A big factor in deciding to purchase the existing businesses, rather than start her own restaurant, was the fact that they could simply take over the liquor licence.

“You can’t get a new retail liquor licence anywhere in the province, so in order to be involved in a retail liquor licence, this is the only one that was available,” Roland explained.

Roland and her brother, Mike, took possession of the property on May 1, and they’re planning to make a few changes, starting with a few tweaks to the menu and a new name: Roland’s Pub.

And while the restaurant and pub will also be undergoing fairly extensive renovations — they will be refinishing the floors, moving the bar back, redecorating, repainting and reconfiguring the seating — Roland said it should be business as usual, with very few daytime closures to complete the facelift.

 

POW makes an impact

A new not-for-profit organization, Protect Our Winters (POW), has gotten off to a strong start, raising $1,000 during their first fundraiser in Whistler.

The organization was founded in 2007 by pro snowboarder, Jeremy Jones, to unite snow sports enthusiasts to encourage them to help prevent global warming, and work to restore and preserve our winter climate.

POW held their first fundraiser on April 14 at the Garibaldi Lift Company, showing the “Save Our Snow” and the “Tsunami Diaries” documentaries, to raise awareness of the impact of climate change. In total, the event raised $1,000 to support POW’s advocacy and renewable energy projects, which aim to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. For more information on reducing your carbon footprint, visit www.protectourwinters.org .

 

Book-lovers delight

It’s time to dust off the stack of books that accumulated beside your bed during the chilly winter months — the Friends of the Whistler Library are holding their biannual used book sale, and they’re looking for donations.

The sale will be held on Saturday, May 17 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., in front of IGA, and proceeds will go towards the new Whistler Public Library.

Drop off your gently-loved books, DVDs and videos at Nesters Market, TD Canada Trust, or the WPL in the days leading up to the sale, or contact Jane Reid at janemcreid@yahoo.com to arrange for pick-up of larger collections.

 

Spring cleaning

Every woman has at least one article of clothing in their closet they never wear, but still can’t bear to give away. Well, it’s time to face the music; now, you have a chance to finally part with that beautiful, but impractical, item, and walk away with a little coin in your pocket.

A newly formed organization, the Cherry Tree Society, is hosting “Pre-Loved,” a gently used clothing sale for the women. The concept is simple: contact the organizers to let them know you want to participate, then drop off your clothes at Lily’s Cosmetic Boutique. The items will be tagged and merchandized, and put up for sale on Sunday, May 18 from 6 until 9 p.m. at Lily’s. At the event, you can sit back and relax to some music, while sipping their signature “Cherry Blossom” cocktail. Ten per cent of profits will go back to the Cherry Tree Society to fund their next event. Contact organizers at cherrytreesociety@gmail.com , or call Jackie at 604-938-2120 or Kenzie at 604-902-5555.