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Advertising Feature
Special guests visit Old Station
Congratulations on 25 years
of Serving Muskoka
121 Shorncliffe Road
Toronto, Ontario M8Z 5K7
Bus: (416) 234-2290 ext. 222
Fax: (416) 234-1038
ECONOMY
CHEMICAL
& SUPPLY INC.
Congratulations
Mike and Staff!
705-325-9995
1-800-461-0223
265 HUGHES ROAD, ORILLIA
In the past 25 years, well-known movie stars and
athletes have come through the doors of The Old
Station Restaurant in Bracebridge. More important
to owner Mike Warr, however, are the customers
who have been regulars through the years.
Cal and Norah Morrison made their first trip to
The Old Station Restaurant when they were offered
a free dinner there after coming to the Warr
family’s rescue when their car went off the road on a
snowy day.
That was their first trip of many to The Old
Station.
“Shortly after that we had a major renovation at
our house,” says Cal. “We had lunch and dinner,
well most of our meals there, almost every day for
about three months.”
That was about 25 years ago and since then they
have been regular customers.
“We try to make it there once a week,” he says.
“Especially in the summer. We like to sit on the
patio.”
Cal says The Old Station is their restaurant of
choice but a big part of it is visiting with Warr.
“Mike is the quintessential host, so to speak,” says
Cal, noting that Mike makes the time to visit each
table and take time for each customer. “He makes
you feel like he has been waiting all day just to see
you. He has that gift.”
Long-time customers have plenty of company at
the restaurant, some of it quite famous.
On the wall in the bar area are photographs, some
autographed, of famous visitors over the years. Many
years ago Warr was surprised to see Paul Shaffer,
musical director of Late Night with David Letterman
and comedian and movie star Martin Short sitting at
a table. Short has a cottage on Lake Rosseau.
Catherine O’Hara was there, with her baby, shortly
after she’d filmed Home Alone.
“I teased her and said ‘Don’t forget your baby,’”
says Warr, referring to her character in the movie,
who forgets one child home alone when going on a
family vacation.
Kurt Russell, another movie star and Lake Rosseau
cottager, has been in the restaurant.
“He was in with his son,” says Warr. He also
recalls visits by actors Harry Hamlin and Chevy
Chase.
A fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Warr has photos
of several hockey players up in the sports bar section
of the restaurant.
“A few years ago, a customer asked to see the
owner or manager,” says Warr, telling of his daughter
Kelly’s experience.
She was working as manager that day and
nervously asked what she could do to help. The
customer was retired Leaf Ron Ellis offering to sign
a plaqued photograph that hung on the wall in the
restaurant. Ellis had just happened to sit below a
photo of himself.
“He was a charming gentleman,” says Kelly.
When Warr returned to the restaurant a little
while later Kelly introduced her dad saying, “Meet
my good friend Ron Ellis.” Warr was thrilled. He
also let Warr and Kelly both try out his 1972
Canada Cup ring.
Of course, Warr was pleased to have the photograph
signed and today it has a special place in The
Old Station Restaurant.
Garden Nursery
YOUR MUSKOKA GROWERS
Specializing in:
Zone hardy perennials, Ornamental grasses,
Herbs and unusual annuals
North American natives, Deer resistant varieties
IMPROVE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT
- BUY LOCALLY GROWN -
1728 Muskoka Beach Road, District Road 17
(Between Bracebridge and Gravenhurst)
705-645-7956
Monday to Saturday 9 to 5
Sunday 11 to 4
10% off purchases of $100 or
more on regularly priced items
18 May 2010 www.whatsupmuskoka.com