Business Spotlight: Muggn’z Family Restaurant
By Mathew White
CALLINGWOOD — At the heart of any solid community there is a place the neighbourhood can call home. In the Callingwood community, that place is called Muggn’z.
“People feel at home and they come back,” said Bonnie Ross, manager at the Muggn’z Family Restaurant.
Background
Muggn’z Family Restaurant opened its doors in 1999 after buying out the previous occupants, Ginger’s. Ross said the business has been going strong ever since.
“The location really has been here for almost 24 years so when we switched over to Muggn’z everybody kept coming,” said Ross.
The Business
Muggn’z is one of the few restaurants in Edmonton to feature an all-day breakfast menu, consisting of everything from eggs to steak. But Ross says it’s really the family-friendly atmosphere that keeps people coming back.
“We pride ourselves on the service, so people come back because they enjoy the service, they enjoy the servers, the food is good and the price is good, so that’s our foundation,” said Ross. “That’s what makes Muggn’z grow.”
- Bonnie Ross (left) and Selina Rodrigues (right) sit at a table inside the Den Pub which sits next to Muggn’z Family Restaurant located at 6655 178 St. in Edmonton, AB. Photograph by Mathew White.
Nestled beside Muggn’z restaurant in the Callingwood shopping centre sits The Den Pub – a sports bar, also owned by Muggn’z, that has been there since the beginning.
Ross said the pub is a real neighbourhood bar, attracting the same people for generations.
“They came when they were 19 and now they’re married and they have kids and the older people have grandchildren and it’s just a revolving door,” said Ross. “It just keeps going.”
“Those people that are coming in everyday are key to a good business so we encourage everybody who comes in to be a regular.”
The pub holds seven flat-screen televisions and carries the NHL Centre Ice in HD package – which broadcasts thousands of NHL games. The Den also has live performances every Friday night by The Piano Man – two local musicians whose music ranges from the 1950’s and onwards.
“They really get the people going,” said Ross.
“They’re great guys. They’re a lot of fun and it’s fun to be around.”
But again, what Ross says is really special about the bar is the atmosphere.
“You can tell by the atmosphere, it’s a clean, good atmosphere, so that’s what keeps people coming back,” said Ross.
And a good atmosphere is something Muggn’z is trying to spread to the Callingwood community itself, giving gift certificates and support to a number of local schools, churches, senior centres and more.
“We really try to get involved the best we can,” said Ross. “We’re there to help them, which ever way we can.”
The Future
With a recent renovation following a fire only three years ago, and no plans to open any additional chains, the future for Muggn’z Restaurant is simply to keep doing what they’re doing.
Muggn’z is owned by Russ Baxter and Andy Vanderleest and is open everyday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Den Pub is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to midnight, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday. The pub stays open until 1 a.m. on Fridays.