BANFF – The future of Melissa’s is uncertain.
The landlord of the 1930 landmark heritage building hasn’t made a decision about which business will get the new lease, but the owners of the popular restaurant and watering hole don’t seem hopeful.
“Just to clarify Melissa’s has not been told they are not going back in the building. It doesn’t look promising,” said Melissa’s Missteak owner Bunny Julius in a Feb. 27 Facebook post. He could not be reached for further comment for this story. “We did not sell. We did not get bought out.”
The historic Melissa’s building, which was built in 1930 and subsequently added on to 1957, is a prominent local landmark and one of the oldest continually operating restaurants-taverns in Banff.
Originally known as the Homestead Restaurant and Tavern, the building has housed Melissa’s Missteak – famous for its breakfasts and local hangout in the upstairs bar – for the last 42 years.
But Mel’s, as it is affectionately known, closed at the end of September 2019. The owner of the building – Fuji Starlight Express – began preparations for renovation and restoration of historic building alongside construction of a new 71-room hotel next door.
Facebook posts have indicated that the Banff Hospitality Collective may be getting the new lease, but officials for the landlord said the company is currently focused on restoring the historic building and has not signed a lease with any business.
Frank Denouden, who is general manager of the Banff Park Lodge, which is also owned by Fuji, said the lease with Mel’s had expired and operating on a month-to-month basis in the lead up to the building being closed for renovations last October.
“This was all up front and there’s no surprises that the lease ended,” Denouden said, noting plans for the new hotel and the Melissa’s building had been in the works for years.
“I’m not in a position to say who our tenant is because we haven’t signed anybody up yet. There has been interest, as you can imagine, because it’s a great site.”
Denouden said there is no timeframe for opening the restaurant building or signing any lease at this point.
He said a lot of time is being put into making sure the renovations of the building are done right, noting the work in being undertaken by CANA Construction – the same company that undertook the massive restoration effort on the 1905 King Eddy Hotel in downtown Calgary.
“They are really embracing this challenge so we can present it to a tenant that will respect it,” Denouden said.
In the last week, a grass-roots movement sprung up to try to save Melissa’s.
Efforts to encourage the landlord to renew the lease for Mel’s included a march of at least 50 people on Lynx Street on Sunday (March 1). At the same time, a Facebook group #SaveMel’s was set up, which grew to almost 3,000 members within days.
Jack Eaton, who has been the bar manager at Melissa’s for the past 13 years, said the march was intended to show that Mel’s is much more than just another restaurant in town.
“Essentially, it feels like the lease has been slipping away from the grip of Melissa’s,” Eaton said, noting the restaurant has been packed up in sea cans in Calgary since closing.
“Nothing towards any other company, but we wanted to band together and get Melissa’s back so we can keep a local business thriving without it being taken away in a lease deal.”
Melissa’s has been advertising on its website for months its plans to reopen for business in spring or early summer 2020.
When renovations of the building got underway, staff at Mel’s had to find other jobs, but assumed they would be back at work.
“In the 13 years that I’ve worked there, about one-third of the employees are still there, which is really a testament to the business of Melissa’s,” Eaton said, adding that the owners have continued to pay its employees health care benefits while closed.
“They keep long-term employees because they treat everybody like family and they always go and above and beyond.”
Hundreds of comments continue to be posted on Facebook in support Melissa’s, including many photos and stories that read like a university yearbook of memories.
Posts like: “For many years, more than many of you can remember, Melissa’s Missteak has been a staple of Banff. Every one of us has many fond memories of sharing some great times with friends and family in the restaurant, and maybe a bit more hazy memories of those great times upstairs in the bar.”
“Since its inception, Mel’s has always made community involvement a key aspect of their business profile; whether it be the place for hosting fundraisers, birthdays, retirements, engagements to any activity worthwhile of inviting friends, Mel’s was always the place to go.”
“Banff is losing its charm at an alarming pace. Anything that ever felt comfy and like home has disappeared. So grateful for the good times at Mel's with amazing locals, but feeling ever so sad at the moment.”
The Banff Hospitality Collective did not make a comment at this time. The local group owns The Bison, the Maple Leaf, Chuck’s Steakhouse, The Balkan, Park Distillery, High Rollers, El Patio, Magpie & Stump, Bear St. Tavern, Dancing Sasquatch and The Eddie.
