After 27 years, four months and two days, it’s time for Norm and Karen Jones to move on.
New owner Andrew Farnham of Regina has purchased the establishment and took over on April 1.
“We were in Moose Jaw for 13 years and moved to Regina just last year and deciding what we were going to do next,” explains Farnham of his plans.
“I bought this place because I don’t want to be in the city,” said Farnham “I love to be in a small community. I looked at several places before I settled on this one. I like the feel of it.”
“It had good numbers,” says Farnham “It’s a good business and it’ll do well.”
“Norm’s Place is an excellent find!” explains Farnham. “I like the community feel.”
It was just meant to be. Farnham’s middle name just happens to be Norman. He’s keeping the bar named Norm’s Place. It has a similar atmosphere as the TV show Cheers, where everyone knows your name when you walk through the door.
He is currently living upstairs at Norm’s Place and not sure of the future plans at the moment. All his energy is focused on running Norm’s Place. He doesn’t have plans on changing anything immediately.
“If it ain’t broke…don’t fix it,” is his motto.
Down the road he says he has some ideas of different things to do, but you’ll have to wait and see.
“People come from a very large radius,” says Andrew, who adds, “Norm and Karen have done a very good job. Norm’s Place is the community hub.”
“All the staff will be retained,” reassures Andrew. “I count on them.”
“I’d like to update the kitchen as my first project,” Farnham says of his only planned change so far.
Norm’s Place already has a steady and loyal clientele but he says he’d also like to attract new customers whether it’s just stopping in for a bag of ice or making a quick stop for a bite to eat while passing through town.
“Pizza is a big thing here….especially for take-out,” Farnham realizes so a bigger pizza oven is on his mind.
He plans on keeping the theme nights – poker night, steak night, skins night, etc., but the gears are constantly turning for new ideas.
“Over the years, I’ve owned and operated a variety of businesses from a bed and breakfast, a dance studio, had a lot of rental houses, and had a maintenance company that took care of 60-plus properties and also spent 15 years in the oilfield,” he explains.
He’s lived in at least four of the Canadian provinces throughout his life. When time permits, he loves to travel, whether it’s by car or motorbike.
Fortunately he says he has the gift of gab so it’s very easy to get to know people.
Stop in to meet the new owner. He’s quite the character you’ll never forget.
You may even hear about his homemade pickles stories. Just ask.
Norm and Karen Jones plan to take it easy and enjoy life without having to be anywhere at any particular time. They are thankful to have had such good customer support and good staff over the years. They say they’ll miss the people and some of the special events such as Name that Tune and the golf tournaments. They were a lot of work but also a lot of fun.
“I shed more than a few tears,” says Norm Jones. “I can’t lie.”
