New life for Conestogo landmark
Crowsfoot Ciderhouse expected to open in former Black Forest Inn location next year
CONESTOGO — It’s a property that’s been home to hospitality for generations.
Now, a local restaurant group is promising to continue that tradition as it breathes new life into the former Black Forest Inn eatery in Conestogo. Following months of renovations and additions, it’s expected to reopen early next year as Crowsfoot Ciderhouse.
“We want this to be the community gathering spot,” says Willy Huber, co-owner of Ignite Restaurant Group, which operates The Rich Uncle Tavern (formerly The Berlin) in downtown Kitchener, and is about to open Graffiti Market, Red Circle Brewing Co., and Red Circle Coffee Co. in the Catalyst137 tech hub on Glasgow Street.
Crowsfoot Ciderhouse plans to have apple ciders brewed inhouse and a restaurant offering “a synergy of modern barbecue and old European smokehouse,” says Ryan Lloyd-Craig, Huber’s son-in-law and business partner.
The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner — and breakfast on weekends at first — with dishes like pig wings (like a giant rib) and schnitzel.
“That was a big mainstay here when it was the Black Forest Inn,” notes Ignite partner Neil Huber, Willy’s son.
The complex will also have a retail country market, featuring local foods, and will serve as the new headquarters for Ignite.
Long home to a succession of country hotels, the Sawmill Road property had hosted the Black Forest Inn restaurant for several decades until its closure last fall; a lengthy road construction project was blamed.
The existing building — virtually off the grid, using well water, a septic system and solar panels — is about 9,800 square feet in size. A two-storey addition is expected to add another 4,000 square feet or so.
“We’re still going to maintain the character and charm of the internal space,” Lloyd-Craig says. “Function and esthetics will be the main adjustments we’ll be doing,” adds Neil.
Long a fan of the location, Willy Huber says he hopes Crowsfoot will serve to augment existing businesses in Conestogo and attract more visitors.
“It’s about building the community,” he says.
For Willy, chief executive officer of Piller’s Fine Foods — a business formerly known as Piller’s Sausages and Delicatessens that his father founded in Waterloo in 1957 — the Ignite venture is an opportunity to return to his family’s roots in the former Yugoslavia. There, his relatives operated a hotel, restaurant, tavern and butcher shop.
“My life’s wish, and my father’s wish, was to get our family back to where we were,” he says.
Piller’s was acquired by Richmond, B.C.-based Premium Brands Holdings Corp. in 2011.
“I’m very proud that we’re able to take the next step and start another family business, which I know is going to be very successful,” Willy says. “With family working together, you can accomplish a lot.”