Los Brothers gearing up for Sportsplex canteen opening
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Brandon’s Los Brothers Restaurant is preparing to take over as the Community Sportsplex canteen operator as early as this spring.
The canteen has been shuttered since 2019 and is currently undergoing renovations, with an expected opening in May or June.
“The idea is expanding the menu, use tacos or a Mexican menu,” owner Rick Yanes said. “We know it’s many different cultures in Brandon, so we want to adapt.”
Los Brothers restaurant owner Rick Yanes (left) and his niece, Cynthia Serrano, who works as a server at the business, pose for a photo at their 260 10th St. location on Tuesday afternoon. Los Brothers recently won the contract to operate the canteen at the Sportsplex. (Matt Goerzen/The Brandon Sun)
Yanes said the company is planning to keep the Sportsplex canteen open seven days a week and to also serve people from the broader community. Online and delivery options — through a third party — will also allow for a larger reach, he said.
“We can adapt with many different events,” he said. “It’s like another restaurant, or another place to service. It’s not for only people who come to the games.”
The Mexican and Salvadoran restaurant at 260 10th St., which also operates a food truck, was one of three companies to bid on the canteen contract.
“We want to be part of Brandon — we’re actually here, but we have to expand in more places around Brandon,” Yanes said.
The company, he added, is working with the city to increase the number of seats near the canteen.
The city’s recreation director said the city is “very excited” to work with Los Brothers and have hot food served in the building again.
“It’s … exciting that they’re going to be bringing some of their authentic Mexican and Salvadoran cuisine,” Heather Reimer said. “Personally, I’m excited for that.”
Los Brothers beat out Sabor Latino and Tastee’s Ice Cream and Grill as the operator of the facility. The contract was awarded in November.
A lot of different items went into the application process, Reimer said.
“Proponents were required to submit a business plan of how and when they would operate and expected revenues, and any revenue sharing was a piece of that as well,” she said.
Reimer said she’s also excited that the canteen is reopening after nearly seven full years of being closed.
“A return to canteen services is something we’ve been wanting and looking forward to for quite some time,” she said. “The canteen just really helps provide another level of service to our user groups and to really encourage that community gathering space and community feeling in the building.”
Demolition work has been completed, and engineering, electrical, plumbing and air handling units are part of the work being done as part of the renovations.
The contract is for a five-year period, with an option to renew it for another five years afterward.
The tenant is required to keep the facility open at a minimum during peak times of weekday evenings between September and June, until 6 p.m. during weekends, and weekdays during the summer, according to the request for proposals.
It is also required to be open during hockey tournaments, high school or college hockey games, swim meets, racquetball tournaments, track and field events and special events.
The canteen was closed in 2019 after a request for proposal for a vendor came back with only one option of installing vending machines. That year, the Sun reported that the canteen was never profitable while the city managed it, even after reducing shifts, operating with less staff and reducing the menu.
Yanes said Los Brothers is working hard with the city to make sure the location is profitable for both parties.
Mayor Jeff Fawcett said it’s good that an operator is finally able to move into the location.
“I was pretty disappointed, truth be told, when we ended up with machines in there. I don’t think there was anybody else in the province that didn’t have some kind of canteen. So this is really great news,” Fawcett said.
He said Los Brothers will “do a good job” at the location.
After the canteen’s initial closure, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed it from reopening, and then renovations further delayed it until this year.
Chez Angela Bakery and Café was awarded a contract to operate out of the canteen in 2022, before the city realized the space needed renovation.
The bakery was unable to place a bid when the new RFP went out last May because it was a busy time for the business.
The renovation of the canteen came at a price of $239,900, and is being done by Jacobson Commercial Ltd.
» alambert@brandonsun.com