After months of renovations, a new business in the Fraser Canyon is ready for a busy tourist season.
The Mighty Fraser Motel and Fat Jack’s Diner north of Boston Bar celebrated its grand opening over the weekend. Situated on about three acres overlooking the Fraser River, owner Todd Baiden has transformed the property into a destination location.
“The location here is unique onto itself. I could see the opportunity, but it had been so run down,” said Baiden, who has a background as a chef in Vancouver. He ran a successful underground restaurant for five years before pursuing the Fraser Canyon business opportunity.
The motel offers 14 standard rooms, seven two bedroom units with kitchenettes, six two bedroom apartments, two bachelor apartments, and a three bedroom house that sleeps seven.
The re-modeled air-conditioned rooms feature brand new beds, linens and towels, a fridge, microwave, complimentary coffee and tea, and cable. There’s also Wi-Fi available, laundry facilities on site, a fire pit overlooking the river, and space for event rentals.
“We definitely modernized them as much as possible and carried a mixed-wood aesthetic/theme throughout that ties in with the restaurant, pub and my own personal tastes,” said Baiden, adding that the pub will re-open later this year.
“It’s embracing the area by highlighting what’s here – nature and animals. I would like to see this build into a destination where people are coming to the area both for the nature and an elevated dining experience in the Canyon in a modern setting.”
Fat Jack’s Diner is open daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and serves all-day breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu boasts a wide variety of dishes, everything from appetizers, soups, and salads to sandwiches, burgers, steak, chicken, ribs and spaghetti with handmade noodles. Fat Jack’s has daily specials, espresso, homemade pies and desserts. The restaurant also has a liquor licence, take-out menu and catering options available.
“We pride ourselves on handmade everything, with one exception being bread. Nothing comes from a package,” said Baiden, pointing out that the vegetable garden and fruit trees on site help supply the restaurant.
“You can get great meals on both end of your sleep and enjoy the tranquility of the Fraser Canyon.”
For more information, visit themightyfrasermotel.com or call 604-867-9296.