Trails West sale marks new era after 33 years

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This article was published 16/07/2016 (3546 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After 33 years, Brandon’s Trails West Inn is changing hands.

Owner and manager Heidi Howarth says the decision to sell the local hotel and live music hot spot came down to the right offer at the right time.

“It wasn’t something I searched for for a long time. I don’t think there was a planned date,” Howarth said. “The opportunity came … and I just came up with, ‘Well, maybe now is the right time.’”

Howarth’s family purchased the business in 1983 from Trails West founder Jim Campbell when the future of the hotel and bar seemed uncertain.

Under the direction of Howarth — who started managing the hotel and booking shows in her early 20s — The 40 has become one of the city’s premiere live music joints.

The nightclub celebrated its 35th anniversary just last month and Howarth says putting together a slideshow for the event brought back many forgotten memories.

“It’s a little bit sad when I think of all the memories,” she said. “You forget some of them and it makes you go ‘Wow.’”

Despite the nostalgia, Howarth says she is ultimately happy with the sale.

The new owners are based out of Winnipeg and already own eight hotels in Manitoba, Alberta and Ontario, as well as several Panago Pizza and Qdoba Mexican Eats restaurants.

“I just feel really comfortable with them as owners taking over,” Howarth said. “You have to have people who know the industry or are involved to purchase a hotel.”

Leo Ho is a partner in the new Trails West ownership group and a former Westman resident. When Ho’s family immigrated to Canada, they settled in Swan River before moving to Minnedosa.

“My first business was the Prairie Pantry in Minnedosa, that was 21 years ago now,” said Ho, who also graduated from the computer sciences program at Brandon University. “I’m happy to be back in Brandon — it’s where I come from.”

Ho and his partners take ownership of the Trails West on Aug. 7, and he says the end goal is to franchise the hotel after it has been renovated and the attached beer vendor expanded. Construction is expected to begin this winter when business is slower.

While Ho has experience running a lounge, taking on a full-fledged bar will be a new experience.

“We’re trying to diversify our business, that’s why we bought a bar,” he said. “I think it will be interesting there’s a lot of learning to do … but we’re fast learners.”

Howarth has offered her expertise to the new owners while they get the hang of things.

“She told me she’s not going to take off to the Bahamas or Mexico … so I’m happy to hear that,” Ho said jokingly.

Ho expects to be in Brandon at least once a week, while his business partner, Gary Lai, will be taking on the more hands-on position of general manager.

As for Howarth, 59, the next chapter entails focusing on her own music, spending time with her five grandkids and travelling — not to mention lending a hand at another family business in British Columbia.

“I don’t call it retirement. I just call it a new style of living,” she said.

» ewasney@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @evawasney