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“If my friend didn’t show up they could have killed me.”
Wine bar looks to expand
ASSAULT VICTIM
Second victim speaking out
FINGERS CROSSED: Plan still
SARAH SIMPSON CITIZEN
requires council approval KEVIN ROTHBAUER CITIZEN
The space is open, so Jeff Downie wants to take it over. The operator of the Old Firehouse Wine Bar on Ingram Street in downtown Duncan is hoping to get an amendment to his liquor licence that will allow him to expand into the space vacated by Dolce Bakery earlier this year. “It’s a move up in occupancy class,” explained Downie, who owns the strata rights to the space and says his business is ready to expand to “assembly use” occupancy class. “It fits the style of the place better,” he said. The space has been sitting vacant since the bakery left in January, and Downie is eager to get into it. “One of the biggest things is that we need to expand; we need more capacity,” he said. “We’d like to do more special events. A higher-occupancy licence will allow us to spread our wings.” Among the special events that the Old Firehouse currently holds and that Downie would like to do more of are live music performances, book launches and lectures. “There are all sorts of things we do,” he said. “The whole gamut of small-scale events.” A bigger storefront will also increase the bar’s visibility, although both local support
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More space could open up a world of possibilities for Jeff Downie and the Old Firehouse Wine Bar on Ingram Street in downtown Duncan. [KEVIN ROTHBAUER/CITIZEN] and tourist visits are already excellent. Downie used to run Gallowglass Books out of the same space, but it has moved around the corner onto Canada Avenue, and while he still owns it, he has taken a step back from day-to-day operations to focus on the Old Firehouse. His new project has been going since March 2012, and has captured its own niche. “This business isn’t just Duncan-unique, but in a way, it’s Island-unique,” he said. “The events we do are pretty unique with all the parts we put together.” With expansion, Downie could add more wine and food options to his menu, along
with other bar features. The Old Firehouse doesn’t focus strictly on local offerings, but does feature a variety of local wines, along with selections from other parts of the province and around the world, and makes use of some local food as well. Downie is optimistic that the city will allow him to expand the bar. “We have a pretty good reputation as far as being something different,” he said, noting that between the bookstore and the bar, he has been working in the same area for nearly 15 years. “We’ve been downtown for a long time.”
Another victim has come forward to tell his story of theft and violence on the Cowichan Tribes reserve south of Duncan and to urge the band’s management to do something to help. In late July, the man who declined to be named publicly in fear of a repeat attack, said three young men staged a late-night invasion into his home, stealing two television sets, clothing, running shoes, jewelry and even traditional native artifacts from the walls. “Then they came back five hours later. I think they thought I’d be still sleeping or something,” said the man, who lives alone. “They just walked right into my house and beat me up.” The damage: two black eyes, a swollen and sore nose and two cracked teeth, could have been a lot worse had the victim’s friend not arrived while the beating was taking place. “He chased them and they ran out the door,” said the victim. “If my friend didn’t show up they could have killed me. He said I was knocked out for about 30 seconds.” The terrified resident did call the police. “I was really scared. I was staying awake all night. Any little noise I would hear outside I would wake up,” he said. See Tribes • page 3
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