Hermanos steakhouse opening in old Firehall

Hermanos South American Steakhouse is preparing to open its first location outside Winnipeg in the historic Brandon Firehall on Princess Avenue next month.

Plans include a full steakhouse and lounge, a cigar lounge in the building’s hayloft and a 50-seat comedy club in the basement.

The expansion marks a significant milestone for the nearly two-decade-old restaurant brand, known for its South American-inspired cuisine and roots in Winnipeg’s Exchange District.

Hermanos co-founder Noel Bernier said the move into Brandon reflects both growth ambitions and a careful search for the right fit.

“After nearly 20 years of success in a difficult market, we were looking for a new place to grow and fully express our brand,” Bernier told the Sun.

“Brandon checked all the boxes.”

While Brandon was not initially the first target for expansion, Bernier said research and local partnerships — particularly with downtown advocates — made the decision clear.

“We’re a downtown brand that thrives in historic buildings,” he said. “The Firehall allows us to stay true to that identity while becoming part of a city that’s clearly on the move.”

Leading day-to-day operations will be Noel’s son, Riley Bernier, who will serve as operational executive chef and co-owner alongside his wife, Juliana. The family plans to relocate to Brandon permanently.

“We’re committing fully to the community,” Riley told the Sun. “Once we’re open, I’ll be here full-time, building the kitchen team and making sure everything meets our standards.”

The restaurant is expected to employ between 50 and 70 staff once fully operational, with hiring already underway.

“The steakhouse itself will seat roughly 130 guests, with an additional 40-seat patio and a smaller lounge space upstairs,” Noel said. “Though licensed for larger capacities, the design allows flexibility for both daily dining and occasional large-scale events.”

Despite that flexibility, Noel said the business will remain focused on its core identity.

“We’re not event-driven, we’re a steakhouse first,” he said. “But if someone wants to book the space for something special, we can certainly accommodate that.”

While the restaurant and lounge are targeting a mid-June opening, the comedy venue is expected to launch later in the fall.

Before full operations begin, Hermanos will introduce itself to the community through a series of themed culinary events running through June and early July.

These ticketed dinners will highlight South American regions such as Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, offering multi-course meals paired with beverages and storytelling elements.

The opening schedule includes a June 18 launch night, with 100 per cent of proceeds going to the Brandon Downtown Biz, followed by a Firefighters Ball on June 21, with proceeds supporting the local firefighters’ association.

“These events are our way of inviting Brandon residents into the space early,” Noel said. “People have been waiting to see this building come back to life, and this gives them a chance to experience it right away. That experience will include live Latin jazz music, scratch-made cuisine, and a focus on hospitality rooted in storytelling and culture.”

The project is backed by a long-term lease agreement with building owner Phil Dorn, including an option to purchase. While no timeline has been set for a potential sale, both parties say the goal is permanence.

“If the community embraces us, we want to be here forever,” Noel said.

Dorn welcomed the partnership.

“Hermanos is a great fit for the historic property,” he said, expressing optimism about its impact on downtown revitalization.

Before its transformation into Firehall Event Venue by Dorn, the old Central Fire Station had a diverse history. It was once home to the Prairie Firehouse restaurant, which closed its doors in May 2020 due to the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Downtown Biz executive director Emmy Sanderson said the brand’s expansion marks an exciting new chapter for one of downtown Brandon’s most iconic heritage buildings.

“This project represents so much of what we believe downtown Brandon can be,” said Sanderson. “It honours the history and legacy of the 115-year-old Firehall while bringing new energy, investment and experiences into our downtown.”

Sanderson said the Biz has worked closely alongside the project team, the City of Brandon and community partners for about a year and a half to support the vision for the space.

Hermanos’ expansion into Brandon comes after a period of both growth and recalibration for the Winnipeg-based restaurant group.

The brand, which first opened in Winnipeg’s Exchange District in September 2009, in the historic Ashdown Warehouse on Bannatyne Avenue, first experimented with expansion in 2017, opening a second location in the city’s Osborne Village area. However, that location closed less than two years later after what Noel described as a mismatch with customer expectations, with many patrons expressing a strong preference for the original Exchange District experience.

The company subsequently refocused on its flagship restaurant in the Exchange District, which had built a loyal following and reputation as a distinctive dining destination tied closely to the city’s arts and entertainment scene.

Like much of the hospitality industry, Hermanos was later hit hard by external pressures. Prolonged road construction in the downtown core significantly reduced access and parking, cutting into business even before the COVID-19 pandemic. When public health restrictions halted events and live entertainment — a key driver of the restaurant’s clientele — revenues dropped sharply, ultimately leading to the closure of the Exchange District location in 2020 before it reopened on the same site two years later.

» aodutola@brandonsun.com

» X: @AbiolaOdutola