Dallas Everest, right, stands with managers Jayson Cudia and Arvin Cardona. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

new business

La Ronge A&W officially opens

Dec 2, 2022 | 12:52 PM

It’s been more than nine years since A&W operated in La Ronge, but that all changed Friday morning after a new location officially opened downtown.

“It’s been a long hard push for all the contractors and everybody who has been working on the job,” said owner Dallas Everest. “It’s more of a relief to have it all finalized and done and actually see the product that’ll we’ll put forth to the community.”

The new location has all the modern services that can be expected from A&W, including chilled mugs and homemade onion rings. There is a drive-thru, as well as an indoor dining room that can seat approximately 50 people.

Construction on the building began in June and Everest noted the opening was only two weeks behind schedule. He said the only major issues experienced during construction were delays in shipping.

“We were supposed to have some celebration stuff, but again, shipping never sent it,” Everest said. “Hopefully, we can do as good as we can with the customers. Hopefully, the community bares with us because this is all new for everybody. We’re going to be a little bit slower, but our goal is to get faster every day.”

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The business is fully staffed with 30 employees and management will be shared by Everest, along with Jayson Cudia, Arvin Cardona and Richard Charles. Both Everest and Cardona spent eight weeks before opening training at other A&W locations in Humboldt and Regina.

There is plenty of seating in the new restaurant. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

The location has a modern interior with stainless steel countertops. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

The drive-thru and kitchen areas of the restaurant. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

The drinks and condiments station. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

The exterior of the new A&W the day before opening. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

For the first few days, a team of A&W employees from across Canada is at the restaurant to assist. Everest explained it has been good having them around because training so many new employees at once is a challenge.

“I’d just like to thank all of northern Saskatchewan. he also said. “They have been good supporters in the past.”

The former A&W was located in what’s now Giant Tiger. Its final day of operations was Aug. 15, 2013.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno