Sherlock Holmes in WEM donates its wallpaper to cancer search

Patrons’ mementoes removed in reno add up to thousands

For 28 years, the patrons of Sherlock Holmes Pub on Bourbon Street at West Edmonton Mall let the world know they were there by pinning personalized photos, postcards and money to the walls.

Now, the company has turned their legacy into something more meaningful — a $7,150 donation to the Alberta Cancer Foundation for ovarian cancer research, with the promise of making the donation a new annual tradition.

The money, and other mementoes, such as soccer scarves and posters, were taken down because Sherlock Holmes’ parent company, Edmonton Pubs Group, was sold in February and the West Edmonton Mall pub is being renovated with new paint, furniture and draft beer equipment.

“As we started to refresh the look of the bar and remove the money, we realized how much was up there and our only thought was where best to donate on behalf of our patrons and the Sherlock Holmes Pubs,” said Gary Tomchuk, Edmonton Pubs Group managing partner. Tomchuk chose ovarian cancer research because his wife Colleen died from the disease a few years ago.

The cash was turned over to ATB Financial, which accepted Canadian and U.S. currency, but not the foreign bills, because they were defaced with messages, phone numbers and drawings.

The Bourbon Street Sherlock Holmes will donate all money stapled to the walls to the Alberta Cancer Foundation yearly and match the donation up to $10,000, the company announced.

SUPPLIED Lisa La, a server at the Sherlock Holmes location in downtown Edmonton, shows its traditional wall of money. The West Edmonton Mall location is donating its walls of cash to charity.