Building a brand down by the riverside

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This article was published 04/12/2017 (2856 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After helping establish one south Winnipeg hotel as a popular gathering place, the Kaisaris family is busy doing it again — this time, just across the Red River.

The family owns and operates the Riverside, which is located at 531 St. Mary’s Rd. and faces across the street from the river. The operation includes a hotel, beer store, an upstairs sports bar, and is also home downstairs to the Limelite Tavern, which is a well-established karaoke venue in the city. The Kaisaris’ previously owned the St. Norbert Hotel — affectionately known as the Nob — between 2008 and 2014. Having sold that enterprise to a retired beer industry representative they know and trust, the family bought the Riverside looking for a new business challenge.

“In recent years, the Riverside has a gone a little bit under the radar,” said Andrea Kaisaris, who co-owns and co-operates the business, adding that former area city councillor Al Golden previously owned the building when it was called the St. Vital Hotel.   

“We’re very excited to continue to give the place a facelift, which has included painting and putting up new signs and lights. Our logo is ‘eat, drink, play.’ We have a lovely patio in the summer, which has a great view of the river. There is also a big sign on the roof that you can see from Kingston Row.”

Kaisaris, who lives in St. Norbert, said the family-owned, family-run business model worked successfully at the Nob, as the family laid down roots in the south Winnipeg community and established ties within the community. She said that successful formula is repeating itself at the Riverside and that several new activities and promotions have helped the owners extend their reach in southeast Winnipeg.

These activities include hosting festive paint and craft nights, as well as the Humpday Supper Club — a new special that’s held every Wednesday, where six people can enjoy a home-cooked meal cooked from scratch for $60, Kaisaris said.

“At the Nob, we did meat draws on a Saturday for the community, held charity golf tournaments and held retirement functions, and we were able to raise money for CancerCare Manitoba. And here, just this past weekend, we hosted a destination-themed wedding event with a Mexican inspiration, when we were able to accommodate a wedding reception and hold a party,” Kaisaris said, noting more community-focused events will be planned in the coming months.

“Many people now don’t like to just sit and drink, so we also hold game nights with board games and Nintendo 64s. At the end of the day, it’s about creating a safe, warm, comfortable, friendly environment where people can relax and watch the game with friends or enjoy a home-cooked meal. We believe in accommodating our guests on a one-on-one basis and creating a fun, adult sense of community. It’s all about getting out and interacting with each other. In a world that’s technology-driven, it’s important to be able to meet up with people socially and enjoy a good time without having to break the bank.” 

 
Go online at www.limelitetavern.ca for more information.

simon.fuller@canstarnews.com