(The original Royal Oak Pub established in 1980 – located at 318 Bank Street, Ottawa. Photo: Royal Oak)
The Royal Oak Pub, a long-time fixture in the pub scene as one of Ottawa’s oldest, will be celebrating 40 years of operation in the Spring of 2020. The first location was established at 318 Bank Street in 1980. With a loan of $50,000 and an investment of $9,000 from the personal coffers of each of the original three owners – John Howard, Gordon Lilley and Paul Harris, the first Royal Oak was well on its way to open. Shortly after the Bank Street opening, Harris returned to the UK and John Thoday quickly filled the void.
Throughout the years the number of locations has increased to 15 (two are located in Whitby), with Stittsville’s new location bringing the total to 16. Their British influenced fare and pub decor are popular with Ottawans and enjoyed by many over the years.
“We are excited to join the community” Tyler Shibley, the Chief Operating Officer told Stittsville Central.
This new location for the Royal Oak will be at 6150 Hazeldean Road, on the former Stittsville Flea Market site and and next to the newly built Hazeldean Gardens. The pub will be accessed from both Neil Avenue and Hazeldean Road.
(Artists rendering of the building at 6150 Hazeldean Road)
Tyler spoke of the pub group’s enthusiasm to bring the Royal Oak to Stittsville. “Joining the growing Stittsville community has been a priority for the pub group for the last three years and we were very pleased to find this high profile location at the corner of Stittsville Main and Hazeldean Road.”
The Stittsville Royal Oak interior will feature a cozy brick accented bar, a warm and welcoming two-sided fireplace with casual seating. There will be plenty of dining room seating and in the summer months a large sunny patio will complement the pub, complete with pergola and an outdoor firepit for those cooler evenings.
Not only is the ‘Oak’ opening a new pub, they are bringing jobs to Stittsville. “We will be providing 20 new serving and kitchen jobs and are presently seeking both Restaurant Managers and Kitchen Managers to join our growing Ottawa Royal Oak Team,” said Tyler.
If you are interested in joining ‘the Team’, check out Royal Oak’s website at royaloakpubs.com/application.
The Royal Oak Pub is widely known and proud to promote as a pub that is founded on the pillars of community, providing safe and appealing pubs, the perfect pint and quality food.
What better way to celebrate 40 years, than to bring a new Royal Oak to the Stittsville community so all can celebrate this milestone!
