New restaurant & sports bar to open in Leader
By Joan Janzen
joanjanzen@yahoo.com
Leader will soon be home to a new restaurant and sports bar. The new owner of Halftime Huddle Restaurant and Sports Bar, Raj Basran, said, “everything is going according to plan. If everything goes well, we are going to be open by the end of March.”
The new restaurant and sports bar is located at the site of the former Rattler’s Restaurant at 416 - 1st Avenue East in Leader, a 4700 sq ft building, which Raj purchased several months ago.
“This is a new business venture for us. We are doing it because our community needs it. It is going to be one of a kind when completed, and all local crews are working hard to meet our business standards,” Raj said.
All the renovations are being done by local plumbers, electricians, contractors and construction workers. It is a huge endeavour. Raj explained, “We are changing everything and only using the shell of the original building. We’re making sure everything is up to standard and code.”
Raj is familiar with the process as he has recently purchased and renovated the former 4L Motel and constructed a new motel. “Business has grown with my motel rooms,” he said but noted there wasn’t anywhere for people to sit down and enjoy a leisurely meal. This was more evident after Mei’s Kitchen closed its doors.
As the owner of Leader Esso Service, Raj said it’s essential that he does a good job and that his customers are happy, and that is precisely his goal in the opening of the restaurant and sports bar. Eight big-screen TVs, an outside patio, good food, seven to ten employees, and a catering service will all help ensure his future customers are happy. It will be a place where sports enthusiasts can enjoy watching sporting events while visiting with friends.
“We will change the menu every now and then depending on what people want,” Raj said, and he hopes to eventually bring in live bands once restrictions are lifted. “The main thing is to bring people into town. Kindersley and Medicine Hat are quite a distance from Leader, and there’s nothing in the surrounding area where people can get this kind of environment. If someone goes to Kindersley to eat out, they also have to pay for gas to get there. We’re trying to fill a need in this small community that is similar to a restaurant/sports bar that would be found in the city.”
Although Halftime Huddle Restaurant and Sports Bar has not yet opened its doors, Raj is already loving and appreciating all the support they are getting for their new business venture.
PHOTO
Investing in Leader: Raj Basran and his wife, Preet.
