Business buzz around Rivers
- Details
- Published on Wednesday, March 23, 2016
By Sheila Runions
Banner Staff
Rivers has seen several changes recently and all are significant improvements to town and worthy of reporting.
It began with Shelly Brown ending her lease with Chris Melvin the afternoon of Feb. 29 and moving Shelly Mom’s Kitchen from the former Rivers Ukrainian Hall (or Chris’s Café & Catering) to the old West Avenue Steakhouse and Lounge a half-block west. Former steakhouse owner Cheri Clark sold that building to Shelly 18 months after she bought it from Lloyd and Jackie Fehr, who ran a restaurant there for 25 years. Shelly hired a crew to renovate during the month of February and on Thursday, March 3 she opened her own place with extended hours. She is still open seven days a week but instead of closing at 8 p.m., she is now open until 9 p.m. (8 p.m. on Sunday) They still open their doors at 7:30 a.m. and she is currently working on approval for a liquor licence.
Work began at Westoba Credit Union on Feb. 16 to have an ATM installed in the foyer/lending office. The office space was needed for the bulk of the machine, so the former waiting area was converted to an office, which was completed in early March. Westoba was working relatively unimpeded to the public for nearly six weeks with the office and ATM construction work. While there are still cosmetic touches needed around the ATM, it is now fully functional. It has been working since Wednesday afternoon, March 16. At this point, the foyer will remain open 24-7 so access can be made to the machine at all times.
On March 10 a temporary fence became the new border of the water treatment plant lot on Hwy. 25. The $4.9 million tender was awarded to Horizon Builders of Brandon and they are already ahead of schedule. Work was expected to begin April 1 but because of the mild winter, trees have been felled and land staked to make way for the new reverse osmosis plant, which is expected to be operational by next March or sooner. The new plant will store nearly one million gallons of water, double what is currently housed in the old plant.
Also on March 10, MW Construction & Electrical of Brandon branched into Rivers by setting up shop at 546 Second Avenue. Paul Whittom is leasing the multi-office space from George and Katie Kroeger. His crew is renovating to make storage areas and a lunch room/kitchenette in the back of the building. The company was incorporated five years ago and its primary focus was industrial/commercial, working for such companies as Koch Fertilizer, Husky Energy and Maple Leaf Foods. With the recent move of his family to Rivers, he is expanding his business into residential/rural work as well. Should you require the services of this COR-certified company which employs 10-25 journeymen electricians and apprentices, you can call 204-328-7939 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
On Monday, March 21 Gland Slam Plumbing & Heating of Brandon installed its sign underneath the MW Construction & Electrical sign. Owner James Lobreau is also expanding his business to better serve Rivers and the rural communities of the Brandon area. James and Paul have a close working relationship in Brandon so that “partnership” is being maintained with a joint expansion. Grand Slam has many years of experience in residential repairs and maintenance of plumbing and heating systems. If you would like to contact them you can phone 204-571-9444 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
After 26 years and two months, Wen and Wendy Chen will no longer own and operate Lee’s Restaurant. Their last day of business will be Saturday, March 26; sale of the eatery is effective April 1. Wen’s cousins, also last-named Chen, will retain the business name and they plan to open April 6. According to Wendy, the sale was unexpected; the family from Toronto came for a visit last November and then made an offer to purchase. The new Chens arrived here late Tuesday afternoon, March 22.
