Though King George Tavern in Manor has been closed for nearly two years, Delton Braun has recently bought it and will be reopening the establishment. He has in fact already begun selling take-out pizza from the bar, which has already been a great success through a rapid sharing of praise through Facebook. The pizza smells delicious coming out of the oven, but also simply looks good.
Braun moved to the area about 12 years ago originally coming to drive truck in the oilfield. After injuring his back he decided to make a change, which led him to running a drywall and painting business, then to work as the town foreman for approximately eight years.
The opportunity to take over the bar developed and Braun agreed to purchase the establishment from Ryan Dicken. Dicken offered Braun a good deal to which he came to the conclusion that he would very much like to try his hand at running the bar.
Braun has always enjoyed cooking and making people happy, so this opportunity was one he could not pass up. This was especially true once he spoke with his sister who has a pizza shop in Virden, MB. called Future Feature. She was very supportive of his venture and gave him her recipe for both pizza crust and sauce; thus, Braun was prepared for this change in his life as he was able to purchase three second-hand ovens from her and a dough mixer as well.
"Opportunities like this don't happen all the time, so I thought I better jump to it," Braun explained.
Braun put a lot of work into the establishment and with the help of a number of community members was able to prepare for a health inspection. Having passed the inspection he began making pizzas in January. He painted the walls in the washroom and the kitchen, while putting a lot of time into cleaning.
So far pizzas are all he has been open for, but he should have his liquor licence soon. Currently he is open between 3 p.m. and whenever calls stop coming in; but, once he is fully open his day will begin at 11 a.m.
Once fully opened he has also decided to add many more items to the menu. Meals to go for oil riggers are something he hopes to have. This will include sandwiches, subs, and hamburgers. Chicken wings and other typical pub food will also be on the menu, which he is very much looking forward to. Lunches are already being planned where a soup and sandwich special will be available. Everything will be homemade to ensure quality.
"Everything's from scratch. I get my vegetables fresh every day," Braun said.
His pizza business currently is doing quite well. He does ask that you give him 35 to 40 minutes notice to make it.
"I have a wide variety and I even build whatever they want. Everybody has different tastes, so if I can do it I will. I'm pretty easy going, so I'll make anything," Braun stated. "I haven't gotten into the chicken pizzas yet though I will eventually down the road once everything is in full swing."
In thanks to his sister for allowing him the use of her recipes she has perfected over the years he has named his deluxe pizza, Future Feature, after her restaurant.
The quality has already been raved about with much feedback getting to Braun.
"They're [the pizzas] filling. Most people are telling me they can only eat two or three slices and they're full," Braun said.
One of the other reasons, besides enjoying cooking and people, for purchasing the bar was how his neighbour grooms the snowmobile trails in the area. The groomer is brought past his back door and Braun thought that would be a good group to appeal to. Riders will be able to stop and come in for a warm meal.
Braun is currently installing a quality stereo system and has a few flat screen televisions to put up, which were donated.
At the moment he is unsure when his grand opening will be held, though he is thinking in the spring, which will allow him use of the deck on the south side of the building in order to have more people in the bar for the opening.
"It should be a good grand opening, I think it's going to be a good party," Braun explained.
Braun has been in talks with his cousin who lives in Moosomin. He plays guitar and sings, so he will provide music for the evening. Braun's friends from Kamsack will also be down for the event, which they will be making shishlicki, barbequed marinated lamb. Braun is hoping to make this event an annual one, though during the grand opening there will be complimentary shishlicki and pizza.
The date of the grand opening has not been decided on as of yet because he is still waiting on his liquor licence, which he expects will be coming soon, though he is excited to begin planning it.
"I want it to be a good atmosphere. Sort of like that sign over there, 'Friends gather here,'" Braun stated.
This ideal atmosphere comes with the way Braun sees all of the people in the surrounding community. That is either as his friends or as friends he has not yet been able to meet.
"The community has backed me 100 percent... Working for the town I met a lot of people and know most of the people here, though these last few years there have been some new people who I don't know; but, I'm excited to meet them," Braun said.
Braun is still getting the bar off the ground, but has big plans for both it and the town. He is planning on bringing in bands to play and eventually have VLTs set up. He is hoping to possibly organize a street dance with the town to be held during the summer. He also hopes to set up a steak pit.
One of the other plans he hopes to bring into fruition is that of a team of designated drivers during the weekends or during special events. He wants to be able to offer people a safe ride home, while this group will also drive the person's vehicle home for them as well so they don't have to worry about getting it the next day.
Overall the only thing he can see which may restrict his plans is human resources. He is currently looking for staff including wait staff, cooks, dishwashers, and those who may be interested in being designated drivers.
"I'm hoping to find the right staff; I need team players for this kind of a business. I really need them to work together and help each other out because it will be busy," Braun explained.
As his business flourishes he hopes to expand adding an addition on the north side of the building because currently he can only seat 70 inside. He also hopes to expand the deck on the south side, which currently holds 30 people according to rules and regulations.
With big plans Braun hopes to appeal to the community and offer a place where everyone can gather to visit because he has heard some around town complain about not being able to catch up with others easily since they don't see each other as often as they used to.
"I have big plans and I'm looking forward," Braun stated.
"I've always liked to make people happy. If I can do that with pizza and put a smile on their face then it makes me feel good too."
