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Scarlet Ibis takes flight: New owners give facelift to Holberg’s old red bird

‘Running a small pub and restaurant in a remote community can be a challenge’
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Scarlet Ibis logo

What may be Vancouver Island’s most remote pub now has new owners.

A group of 12 Vancouver Island businesspeople have made the plunge and purchased the Scarlet Ibis Pub from previous owner, Patricia Gwynne, who ran the business for most of its 45 years.

Located in Holberg, the Scarlet Ibis operates in that northwest Island community to serve its 36 residents and visitors, including traffic headed for the nearby Cape Scott Trail. Running a small pub and restaurant in a remote community can be a challenge but add COVID 19 to the mix and it could easily be over before it even begins.

“The locals have been great; they are so supportive” said Tim Sangha the lead partner in a media release. “Our plans are pretty simple. Keep what works and fix what does not. But without the “power of 12” the challenge to accomplish this would be a whole lot different” Sangha said.

The owners report that from within the group:

• a licensed mechanical partner ran new propane lines and fixed all of the other gas issues;

• a licensed electrical contractor partner upgraded our power system;

• a HD mechanic partner found us a back up power system for when the power goes down;

• an ex-banker partner has guided us through the pandemic protocols and supports available from the provincial and federal governments;

• a marketing professional partner has redesigned our logo, website, and marketing materials;

• a woodlot owner partner has provided new carvings for inside and outside the Pub and wood for expanding the deck;

• a restaurateur partner has helped revamp the order system and menu;

The team has laboured to clear spaces for the cabins and are spreading gravel and leveling the parking area, and expanding and upgrading the deck.

“We want the Scarlet Ibis to have another 45 or more years and remain a beacon for the community of Holberg and the many visitors to Cape Scott Provincial Park and the North Coast Trail that bring people north to our area,” the release states.


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