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Bogey's pub reopens with new look

Bogey’s Pub and Pizza is ready to welcome customers back, after taking time during the COVID-19 pandemic to undergo major renovations to the restaurant’s interior.
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Bogey's Pub and Pizza is reopening after undergoing significant renovations while closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Scott Strasser/Airdrie City View

Bogey’s Pub and Pizza is ready to welcome customers back, after taking time during the COVID-19 pandemic to undergo major renovations to the restaurant’s interior. 

According to Promotions Manager Tammy Cotton, the Woodside-area pub in northwest Airdrie is back in business and ready to show off a brand new look – as well as new menu items.

“It’s top to bottom – everything from our ceiling tiles to our floors,” she said. “The bathrooms were re-done, we have new tables, chairs and a new bar. Everything you can think of has a new look including 23 HD TVs and 11 VLTs. We did a total makeover of the bar and also gave Woodside Pizza, our takeout side, a fresh new look.”

Like other restaurants and bars across the province, Bogey’s was mandated to close in mid-March, due to the spread of COVID-19. After being shut down, Cotton said she and her husband Warren – the business’ co-owners – thought it was the ideal time to complete some much-needed renovations.

“We were originally just going to do little things like replace the flooring and ceiling, but when we were shut down, we thought, ‘Let’s just do a makeover,’” Cotton said. “It was time.”

She added she expects the pub’s updated look to attract a new host of clientele.

“I love the customers we get – we have an amazing group of regulars,” she said. “If it wasn’t for them, I’m not sure if we’d still be in business. They support us 100 per cent. But it’s always nice to open doors to new people too.”

Bogey’s opened in July 2002 at 905 1 Avenue SW. Since its early days, the locally-owned pub has expanded from occupying two small bays in the Canals Crossing shopping plaza to now occupying four bays.

“We were able to expand adding more tables and chairs, as eventually, we got the VLTs and pool tables,” Cotton said.

One of the long-standing pub's priorities is supporting other local businesses, Cotton said, adding all of Bogey’s vendors and contractors come from Airdrie or nearby communities.

The pub also backs local fundraisers like the Airdrie Lioness Club’s annual Adopt-a-Family Christmas Hamper Program in December and the yearly Airdrie Dads Golf Tournament at Apple Creek Golf Course. Local organizations like the Airdrie Food Bank also benefit from its support.

 “We also sponsor local sports teams,” Cotton said.

Bogey’s longevity has resulted in a familial atmosphere among the pub’s roughly 12 staff members, Cotton said. Some of the business’ longest-serving employees include Warren, who has served as Head Bartender & Bar manager for 18 years, and Shelley Balysky, who has been with Bogey’s for 12 years and now is assistant manager of the bar and superstar waitress. The kitchen manager Royal Labelle has been responsible for the great food each day for the last 13 years.

“It goes to show we’re doing something right if we can keep staff for that long,” Cotton said.

While Bogey’s has been offering takeout and delivery options throughout the pandemic, Cotton said she’s excited to welcome customers back for dine-in service for the first time in more than three months.

“We have the go-ahead from the government to be at full capacity again while still maintaining proper social distancing protocol, which is good – we missed the whole half-capacity thing during the renos,” she said.

Now that the restaurant is ready to reopen, Cotton said staff members are taking extra care to ensure the safety of its customers and staff. She said the pub’s new health and safety measures include setting up more hand-sanitizing stations, as well as wiping down tables, menus and VLTs after each use.

“We want to keep everyone in Airdrie safe,” she said.




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