The new owner of the Williams Inn said he sympathizes when it comes to complaints about his property, but is asking the neighbourhood to be patient.
“I have machines and crews ready to begin cleaning it up next week,” Khris Palmarchetty said Thursday of the burnt remains of one building and another charred building at the top end of the property.
Originally from Vancouver, Palmarchetty said problems with the previous ownership delayed his ability to do the cleanup and halted renovations.
Once he was able to get back inside, he hired local contractors to completely renovate the third floor above the restaurant and bar.
“We wanted to work on the inside first so we could rent those rooms out and in the next three weeks we will be working on the outside,” he said.
Meanwhile, the pub has had an entire makeover thanks to the efforts of owner Bob Samchuck.
Samchuck has created a country and western themed establishment, with all the decor coming from the set of the TV drama Strange Empire, filmed in Vancouver.
“The guy from the Liquidator reality TV show sold it to me,” Samchuck said.