Christopher Hamel and Wendy Stebbings have just opened Oliver’s newest business – The Howling Coyote Pub & Grill. (Photo by Lyonel Doherty)
Lyonel Doherty
Aberdeen Publishing
If Hollywood needs a new movie about romance and fate, it should check out the story behind The Howling Coyote Pub & Grill in Oliver.
“I’m not sure if I believe in fate. If I didn’t believe it before I’m on the verge of believing it now,” said co-owner Wendy Stebbings, who has been working non-stop with partner Christopher Hamel to open Oliver’s newest business.
“We’re trying to give Oliver something to be proud of . . . a nice little place that they can call their own,” said Hamel, a DJ at heart.
Formerly Murphy’s Pub, the Howling Coyote in the Desert Arms Hotel has undergone a major transformation.
But first, there’s a love story that needs repeating.
Sixty years ago, a couple owned the old Reopel Hotel in Oliver (where the Desert Arms sits now). They had a daughter named Wendy who went on to be one of the most sought-after bartenders in Langley.
“We went to school together. I was the school president and she was on the (student) council,” Hamel recalled.
Even though she had a boyfriend and he had a girlfriend (from different schools), they became friends and flirted with each other as grad partners. No, wait, he flirted, she didn’t, Stebbings was quick to interject.
“After school, she went off and got married and had two children, and I went off and got married and had two children,” Hamel said, continuing the story.
But as movies go, you can guess what happened.
Hamel subsequently got divorced and became single. One day (nine years ago) he saw Wendy’s photo on Facebook and decided to reach out to her. She informed him that she was getting a divorce too. They met and had coffee, reminiscing about old times.
Did fate finally bring them together? It’s hard to say.
Stebbings noted that Hamel was very persistent after he saw her photo. She wanted to take it slow because she wasn’t ready for a relationship so soon after her divorce.
On their first date they sat on his office floor and listened to music, which was their true connection since he was a veteran DJ and she was a pub manager.
Running the pub scene, Stebbings has met some famous people during her career, which started at the age of 18 as a bartender. (Yes, she was underage but didn’t tell her boss that.)
It has always been her passion to serve people and listen to their stories, no matter how often they are told.
Stebbings was actually preparing to write a book about her bartending days. You know, those heartwarming stories of hardship and coming of age? But during a move she lost all of her type-written notes – four years of her life gone. She searched high and low (even in garbage cans) but to no avail.
But the memory of meeting some big- name stars will always be there. For example, she found out that Burton Cummings was scheduled to sing at a pub where she worked. She desperately wanted to take the night off to see him, but her boss said she had to work. So, she called in sick. A few hours later she went to the bar disguised as someone else, dressed in a coat, hood and glasses. But the boss wasn’t fooled and caught her in the act, ordering her to start slinging drinks behind the bar.
Stebbings also met Doug Bennett from Doug and the Slugs, who helped her buy her first stereo system.
She also chatted with Jon Bon Jovi one time.
But it was Bryan Adams who struck a chord with her. He was working one of his first gigs at a nightclub, but her boss wasn’t impressed by the future star.
As a result, he told her to fire the young rocker; something about not liking the kid’s sound.
“He didn’t think Bryan was very good, but I said he was fabulous; he’s going to make it, he’s going to go places . . . you’re going to regret this.”
The boss ended up keeping Adams on the entertainment list.
Hamel recalled working in a record store where Adams and his girlfriend used to peruse the vinyl.
“He wanted to be the next Rod Stewart,” Hamel said.
Fast forward to Kelowna, where Stebbings was looking into investing in another business. She saw that the old Murphy’s Pub was for sale, but she thought it was in Kelowna (until Hamel informed her it was her parents’ old hotel property).
Needless to say, Stebbings was very surprised, and Hamel finds it ironic that she came back home where her parents started the business.
Looking around the pub, Hamel pointed out the new flooring, new paint job, USB charger for phones, and even pull-down hooks at the bar for women’s purses.
He admitted that when they first bought the place, there was a lot to be desired.
“When I walked in here it looked like my drunken Uncle Fred’s basement,” Hamel said.
But that was then and this is now.
He noted that an incredible amount of work has gone into the kitchen, which is run by a Red Seal chef.
Hamel said their buns come from Big Al’s Bakery, and their meat and steaks come from Black Sage Butcher in Oliver. And the pies . . . you’ve got to try the mini pies from Wild Pies. Delectable!
“We’re trying to do as much local as we can,” Hamel said.
Theme nights at the pub will include wine and spirits tasting on Wednesday, country dancing on Thursday, and karaoke on Friday. Saturday will feature lives bands, local talent or a DJ (wonder who will fill that role?).
“When you come in on Saturday night, you will be entertained,” Hamel said.
Sunday night will be known as comfort night with beef stew, pot roast and specialty coffee and tea. You can also relax and play pool, crib or bridge with friends.
During the day, it’s going to be what Hamel refers to as a “mild mannered pub.”
In discussing COVID-19, Hamel said he’s hoping the new health and safety protocols will have a positive impact on the business. There will be limited seating, and tables will be spaced six feet apart. He noted the servers will be wearing masks, and tables will be scrubbed down after each meal.
