The local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion has made a couple changes that it hopes will boost revenues.
Molly B’s VLT Lounge has moved to a more prominent location in the northeast section of the 2810 Bremner Ave. building, where Jim & Jer’s Pub operated from 2001 until closing last fall.
Legion president Tim McCoy said extensive renovations have been made to the lounge’s new premises, with the VLT machines moved there and a games room set up with electronic entertainment.
“We’re going to have a Wii game, as soon as we get that installed.”
There are also several TV screens for sports enthusiasts, and enough room for 182 patrons.
The new lounge is open, said McCoy, although a few “kinks” are still being worked out.
“We haven’t really advertised it.”
Although Jim & Jer’s was privately owned, the Legion operates Molly B’s. McCoy expects most of the customers will be from the general public rather than the Legion membership.
He believes the new location, with its exterior entrance, will help generate money for the Legion.
Another, new source of revenue is a former banquet room on the building’s south side that is now being leased out.
Famous Toys and Halloween Outlet opened in the 6,600-square-foot space on Tuesday. Owner Darcy Tymko, who operated the seasonal business in Gasoline Alley last fall, said the location across the street from Bower Place Shopping Centre is ideal.
His store carries a broad selection of Halloween costumes and related items, with merchandise to shift toward toys after Oct. 31.
Tymko said he’s leased the premises until Dec. 31.
McCoy said the Legion would like a permanent tenant for the site. That could be another retailer, he said, or a renter that needs space for some other purpose.
“We’ve got a couple people interested in it.”
As a banquet hall, the space was underutilized, said McCoy.
“The odd time it was used for large banquets, but we never made any money off of them.”
Molly B’s VLT Lounge is open from 10 a.m. to midnight Monday to Saturday, and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com