Owners aim for June reopening for Squamish’s Shady Tree Pub

That’s what you call double duty. 

After a couple of years moonlighting as a COVID-19 test centre in Squamish, the Shady Tree Pub is set to reopen sometime in June according to owner Eivind Tornes.

Located in the Garibaldi Highlands, the popular and award-winning eatery has been voted the best local pub multiple times. So who knew it would also be a perfect spot for Coastal Health to set up shop for a couple of years?

“The main reason we closed down is I didn’t feel it was safe, but now that it’s safe we’re ready to open back up. I’ve had this pub for 25 years and it’s been great times. I want the good times to continue, which is why there will be no real changes. It will be the same menu, the same atmosphere, just a little bit better,” said Tornes, who is currently working on painting the interior and replacing the carpet.The Shady Tree first shut down in March 2020, and became the pandemic testing centre that August. When that site was closed this March, Tornes began work to restore their bar to its previous state, which included hanging a collection of backcountry photos taken by him. 

That’s part of the legacy he’ll leave behind now that he’s stepping away from daily operations to let his business partners have their day in the sun. 

Tornes announced he was looking for partners to run the place back in 2020 when he closed it. 

Now that preparation work is mostly accomplished, the next step will be to find staff — a tall order in the current market.

“We’re looking for staff like everybody, and really starting from scratch so we need people in the front, the back, the kitchen, and for everything else. We’ve always had a nice and friendly atmosphere, so I want that to continue.”

For more information visit shadytreepub.com.