Wendel Clark scores — yet again
Hamilton makes it a hat trick for Wendel Clark.
The former Maple Leaf captain posed for pictures, handed out autographed pucks and chatted with visitors to the newly opened Wendel Clark’s Classic Grill and Bar in downtown Hamilton Tuesday.
It’s the third location i n the chain which the hockey great partially owns, adding to eateries in Burlington and Vaughan.
And Wendel Clark’s is the second occupant of the corner restaurant suite in the city-owned Lister building.
Wearing the Leafs’ blue and white in a checked shirt, Clark said Hamilton is a sports town and the city’s shift to an OHL franchise will bring more people downtown.
“I think junior hockey is a big draw and there are a lot of businesses pulling Hamilton in the right direction … We want to be part of that.”
Known for being a tough guy with a scoring touch over a 15-year pro career, Clark said he enjoys being the face of his restaurants.
“It’s a chance to connect with fans.”
Local hockey was well represented at an opening night party, with Hamilton Bulldogs players, front office staff and even Bruiser the mascot on hand.
“This will be a good spot for our f ans to come before or after a game,” said Bulldogs president Steve Staios, who took over the team’s top job last month.
He’s been friends with Clark since the two played against each other in the NHL.
They’ve since worked together in the Leafs organization — Clark as a community ambassador and Staios as a director of player development and a coach.
“I have to say I like him a lot more now that he’s not hitting me on the ice,” said Staios, a Hamilton native.
“We’re excited he’s here in Hamilton.”
There are about 30 large screens in the space, including a bank of 11 over the expansive bar. As wings, sliders and nachos were served to guests inside, workers finished a patio outside.
Franchise owners Louis and Karen Muscat said it’s been two and a half months of sleepless nights getting the restaurant open since they were awarded a 10-year lease in April.
It’s the first foray into the restaurant business for the St. George couple who have been married 35 years and raised two daughters.
But they said they knew they wanted to jump in after visiting the Burlington Wendel Clark’s.
“It was the atmosphere and the service and the food was delicious,” said Karen.
“We decided to pursue a dream of ours to work for ourselves,” said Louis.
When the couple read in The Spectator that the tenant in the city-owned Lister had been evicted, the Muscats say they knew it was the perfect spot for an upscale sports bar.
Ward 2 Councillor Jason Farr said he’s confident the franchise owners will score in Hamilton.
“I have a strong sense they will have a work ethic that will make this place successful.”
It’s been well over two years since the city first sought a restaurant tenant for the corner unit. Farr joked that it took less time to restore the Lister building, which sat vacant and crumbling for more than a decade.
Rom D’Angelo, the city’s facilities manager, was all smiles after more than a year of headaches with the space. The city evicted former tenant Chris DesRoches of 28 Lister Chophouse and Grill in November. That came after a litany of complaints from contractors, suppliers and employees that they hadn’t been paid.
He noted the city did not invest another penny, after spending $267,000 on infrastructure for 28 Lister. All of that investment is now paying off with Wendel Clark’s, he said, which was the only bidder for the space this time around.
“It’s been a long wait, but it’s good to see it flourish,” said D’Angelo.
“This is a great addition to the downtown. A high-end sports bar really complements the James Street North revival.”
This will be a good spot for our fans to come before or after a game.
BULLDOGS’ STEVE STAIOS