Trailer Park Boys add to growing empire
The Trailer Park Boys, Nova Scotia’s supposedly dopey mockumentary stars, are amassing a business empire spanning an online comedy network, production studio, beverage deals, marijuana branding and now a landmark Halifax restaurant and bar complex.
The entrepreneurial acumen of Mike Smith, Robb Wells and John Paul Tremblay - Bubbles, Ricky and Julian - belies the dim-witted campy characters that have attained cult status and prompted Netflix to pick up the franchise, now filming season 12 in Truro, N.S.
Following the launch of Liquormen’s Ol’ Dirty Canadian Whisky two years ago, the boys recently released a new beer, Freedom 35 lager, in partnership with Toronto’s North American Craft, or NAC Importers Inc., and have also teamed up with Organigram Inc. of New Brunswick to sell branded marijuana products once legal weed kicks in.
Now the East Coasters’ Swear Net Holdings, the firm behind the online entertainment subscription network SwearNet, is venturing into brick and mortar business.
Along with Gary Howsam, producer of the hit television show, and Halifax bar owner Brad Hartlin, the Trailer Park Boys have bought up the Halifax landmark Economy Shoe Shop Cafe and Bar from local businessman Victor Syperek.
In the same deal, the business partners also acquired the former Seahorse Tavern space, a live-music venue located below the Shoe Shop, and brokered the joint ownership of the Toothy Moose cabaret upstairs, previously co-owned by Smith (Bubbles) and Hartlin.
Through Swear Net Holdings, the three actors and Howsam own 75 per cent of the three venues, while Hartlin owns 25 per cent.
Together they now control over 18,000 square feet of prime bar and restaurant real estate on Argyle Street in downtown Halifax across from the Nova Centre, a $500-million hotel, office and convention centre complex slated to open later this year.
“Right now it sucks that it’s under construction and the street is closed,” said Smith, better known as Bubbles, the character that sports thick, Coke-bottle glasses and plaid shirts. “But when it’s done we’re going to have a permanent patio. It will be the premier location in downtown Halifax.”
Hartlin said the team is investing up to $2 million into overhauling the entertainment complex, with a big lump of cash going into a brand new Shoe Shop kitchen and renovations to the decor.
While the Shoe Shop has a fresh coat of paint and some new lighting, the eatery has kept the same “vibe,” with its stained glass, large artificial tree and mural, he said.