‘It’s going to be emotional’: Owner of Charlie Lake Pub talks about selling of local eatery

CHARLIE LAKE, B.C. — A co-owner of a local eatery admits it will be “a little emotional” when last call comes around this week.

Trynna Dion and Michael Champ have owned the Historic Red Barn Pub and Grill, better known as the Charlie Lake Pub, and other businesses in the area for 35 years.

Initially running their restaurant out of a temporary spot in the current establishment’s parking lot, Dion said she and Champ have run businesses since the early 1990s.

The duo announced this month that the establishment was sold in an emotional post on the eatery’s Facebook page.

With her last night tending bar being Tuesday, June 30, Dion spoke with Energeticcity.ca about the decision to part with the business.

“We actually built the pub,” Dion said. “[It took] one year to build. WL Construction was the primary builder. There was the iconic red barn, which used to sit out front in our parking lot. We worked out of that while we built the pub.”

“We opened it on Remembrance Day of 1998. At the time that we were building [the pub] and operating the historic Red Barn, we also owned a restaurant called Micci’s.”

Starting Micci’s in the 1990s, the duo also ran the old Tea Bag Annie’s in Fort St. John, showcasing versatility in the hospitality industry.

Even with such a portfolio, Dion said both owners’ longevity hasn’t been easy.

“[We have] had staff shortages,” said Dion. “There was an era where we used Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA) to hire foreign workers, so we could staff all our businesses.”

“We have hosted music fests and farmers’ markets. [We have] hosted comedy shows. There’s been a lot I couldn’t say [it] in a few words.”

Now that new owners are taking over the business, both Dion and Champ will work in a transitional role for approximately a month, according to Dion.

She says regular patrons from their early days have always supported the business, and Dion hopes that will continue as Dion and Champ part company with a brand they worked hard to build.

Dion added, “It has been a privilege to serve the community this long.”

“Our patrons have always been there for us,” said Dion. “Right from town to when we moved business out to Charlie Lake. Their patronage has meant a lot to us over the years.”

Now, with retirement and extended travel commitments on the horizon, she said it will be emotional as she tends to customers’ needs one last time as an owner.

“I would imagine that it will be very emotional,” said Dion.

The Historic Red Barn Bar and Grill is located at 12984 Jackfish Front in Charlie Lake. Visit the pub’s Facebook page for more details on the restaurant.