Laughing Buddha restaurant expands

Fans of folk, roots and jazz music can pursue their passions on Elgin Street at the newly expanded Laughing Buddha restaurant.

The Desjardin family, owners of the Townehouse Tavern and Laughing Buddha, and their manager Paul Loewenberg, have completed the conversion of the former Sportsbury sports bar, which was housed between the two. The new space has been turned into a new music and food venue.

“We wanted a space that can seat 90 people. It would be a little like Hugh's Room or the Rex in Toronto, where the shows start early and the theme is eclectic folk, jazz and roots music.”

A number of artists have already approached Loewenberg in order to perform in the venue.

“We also expect to partner with organizations like the Northern Lights Festival Boreal to host their events here. It is very much a community space as long as it is artistic and interesting.”

The new renovation also expands the space for the normally busy Laughing Buddha restaurant.

“We closed the Sportsbury in mid July and started to renovate a week later after throwing around a few ideas,” said Loewenberg.

He said the Laughing Buddha restaurant had become very busy and more space was needed.

“We have a patio outside that handles quite a few people but we cannot use it seven months of the year. We needed an all-weather room. We wanted a relaxed easy going atmosphere with great dining.” The room can be booked for special occasions by contacting Jeff MacIntyre at the restaurant.

The renovation uncovered some surprises.

“Once we started, we uncovered some old tin walls underneath the quarter inch plywood. It must have been there for over 50 years.”

He said the decorative tin was probably a feature of the deco architecture movement from the 1920s, just after the building was built.

“It did not catch on here.” That is why it may have been covered up, he noted. The original brick work has also been exposed.

Another unusual feature is the cork flooring which Loewenberg installed.

“Cork is a wonderful material. It is renewable. You can take the bark off the tree and it will regrow. It also is energy efficient and is good acoustically,” said Loewenberg. He said he found cork flooring in a house he was living in recently and researched more about it.

“I found it was resistant to water and scuffing and has a beautiful surface.” The material was made available from a local store, End of the Roll, on Barrydowne Road.

The first musical event will take place Thursday Oct. 15.

“It is my 40th birthday so I will be having some of my friends come out,” chuckled Loewenberg.

For more information.on the Buddha Room email [email protected]. To book the room for special events phone 673-2112.