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Advertising Feature Warr enjoys social side Restaurant owner Mike Warr is usually behind the bar on Friday nights. Congratulations! TO THE OLD STATION RESTAURANT Congratulations Mike! Lic # 10217 Leslie J. McCann Mortgage Broker Lic # M08000661 Photographs: Sandy Lockhart Mike Warr, owner of The Old Station Restaurant, has been a big part of the Bracebridge community since opening his restaurant in 1985. Whether taking part in fun downtown events, donating to charitable causes or contributing to the downtown economic committees, he has always been involved in the community. Warr trained for hotel and restaurant management, then worked at the Skyline Hotel and later the Park Plaza in Toronto before heading out west to Vancouver when he was 21. There he worked as a front desk clerk and then moved up through various management positions at area hotels. In 1980 he was hired as supervisor of passenger services for Ward Air and moved back to Toronto. A few years later he decided to move to Muskoka, returning to the area of his family cottage to work at Grandview as the dining room manager. His next stop was purchasing The Old Station Restaurant in 1985. After those fairly transient early years, he has remained at The Old Station Restaurant for 25 years. Warr enjoys the social part of the job and is known for taking part in special events. For the summer midnight madness each year, Warr and the staff dress up by picking a different movie as the theme. In the past Warr has played the role of Austin Powers, Shrek, a super hero and even a pirate from the Caribbean. One year for Christmas in July, the whole staff dressed up as Santa’s elves and Warr was the jolly old man. He even had a load of Zamboni snow from the arena deposited on the restaurant’s front lawn to help everyone get in the mood. Through the business, Warr has made a point of giving back to the community. “We sponsor the MS walk,” he says. For the past five years Warr and his suppliers have donated hamburgers and hot dogs for the event and he and his staff have run the barbecue. “We sponsor rep soccer teams and the kids soccer teams,” he says. He started sponsoring soccer when his son Owen, now 23, played soccer and has continued to do so. There is a plaque at the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital Site recognizing the restaurant’s contribution of over $5,000 raised over the years. During the “working for your hospital” campaign, his staff would put a portion of their tips aside, then customers would add something and Warr would match that total. “Over the years, there have been so many charities that I can’t name them all,” he says, listing Interval House and the Salvation Army among others. “I believe in supporting local charities,” he says, adding that through the Rotary Club he is also involved in helping out many organizations. Each Tuesday morning for the last five years, the Bracebridge/Muskoka Lakes Rotary Club has met at his restaurant. Before his involvement in Rotary, Warr was a Kinsmen for 10 years. Warr is a member of both the Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce and BIA, and has spent time as a director for both organizations. But he does make a little bit of time for leisure. Each year when the restaurant closes for about six weeks after New Year’s, Warr tries to head somewhere warm for a little while. He is hoping to have even more free time in the future, as Owen becomes more involved in the business. CELEBRATING 25 705-645-8645 or 1-888-707-0883 leslie@summitmortgage.ca www.summitmortgage.ca YEARS Jim Campbell Independent Distributor of Sealtest and Natrel Products Mike Warr and his son Owen look over some of the many menus and specials featured at The Old Station Restaurant over the past 25 years. 14 May 2010 www.whatsupmuskoka.com
Advertising Feature The Old Station is constantly evolving Kelly Warr, Mike Warr, supporter Gary McMullen of Lakes of Muskoka Cottage Brewery and Owen Warr enjoyed special celebrations on Saturday, May 1 to mark The Old Station Restaurant’s 25th anniversary. Photograph: Don MacTavish Continued from Page 13 He says many of his regular customers enjoy sitting in this area. Other additions in 2001-02 included making the entrance and washrooms wheelchair accessible, a new heating and air conditioning system and adding a gas fireplace and historic cozy log cabin look to the main dining area. The patio was also expanded to the library side, creating a wraparound outdoor eating and lounge area. Warr says he considered expanding the patio to the front, and going a little closer to the sidewalk but didn’t want to lose the lawn. “We wanted to keep some green space,” he says. “People like to sit under the tree on the grass. We even put a water dish out there for dogs that need a drink.” Each year the restaurant closes for about six weeks after New Year’s, reopening just in time for Valentine’s Day. Last year they refinished the bar and another year they put new wood flooring in the sports lounge area. Warr likes opening the restaurant for special occasions such as Christmas parties, rehearsal dinners or even smaller weddings. “We have the white linen table clothes and can dress it up for Christmas or special parties with the gas fireplace and wooden trim and a Christmas tree in the corner,” he says. The restaurant can accommodate 65 people for a sit-down dinner. Warr says with large enough numbers, the restaurant is then closed to the public. “I’m proud to be an independent,” he says of being in a society where there are many chain restaurants. “We make most of our foods from scratch.” In 2006, The Old Station Restaurant was recognized as Established Business of the Year by the Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce. Usually, Warr spends days in the restaurant but Friday nights are designated as his night and many regulars come in just to see him. “I like to stand behind the bar, talk to people and socialize,” he says. “I like to see regular customers.” With 25 years invested at The Old Station, Warr has obviously found the right place to spend his time and energy. www.whatsupmuskoka.com www.whatsupmuskoka.com May 2010 15
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