The Tin Fiddler
The Tin FiddlerRealtor Mark Woolsey loves the old historic buildings in downtown Sarnia. In 2013, he purchased and renovated the building that is now home to the Downtown Market, and in 2017, he purchased 146/148 Christina Street North for his own restaurant and pub, The Tin Fiddler. "I love this city and the opportunities it provides. Downtown is growing and developing with new businesses and restaurants, and you can't beat the free evening and weekend parking." As he began renovating the 120-year-old building, he encountered many challenges. "The structure of the building was good but the interior needed to be completely gutted and rebuilt, including the kitchen. I didn't think the renovation was going to be that extensive, but it worked out because now we have this beautiful pub full of unique features."
The Tin Fiddler opened its doors in July 2019. The decor is industrial chic, and Woolsey's love of antiques can be seen throughout the pub. The corrugated sheet metal is from an old steel barn and the stage lights illuminating Laura Kreviazuk's artwork are from Cheri Champagne's. "The antique safe we use as our reception desk was in the basement, and the draft taps are from an old pump organ. We put a lot of thought into design and decor and didn't cut any corners." Woolsey had struggled to name the pub throughout the renovation until a friend suggested The Tin Fiddler. "He suggested it one night, and we kept going back to it because it had that pub feel."
The menu features familiar pub items, but with a twist. "I would describe our food as high-end pub grub," shares operations manager Mia Clarke. Their top-selling lamb tacos, quinoa-battered onion rings, and mac and cheese bites are a few of the unique menu items. "We recently added more shareables to the menu, which have proven to be popular with customers." The Tin Fiddler has seasonal mini menus and daily specials, all created fresh in-house by their head Chef. Clarke is also responsible for creating many of the pub's signature cocktails, including the earl grey gin and tonic, made with house-infused earl grey gin, lemon, sugar syrup, and tonic.
Woolsey is also part owner in River Run Brew Co., a craft brewery, that operates in the pub's basement and solely supplies The Tin Fiddler. "With an in-house brewery, I wasn't sure if we would sell much of anything else, but we have become a hybrid. We have amazing cocktails, an extensive wine list, craft beer, and great food to go with it all. It's the best of all worlds."
In December 2019, Woolsey jumped back into renovations to complete the other half of the building. "We added more dining, dancing, and hangout space. It also has a stage, so we can showcase local musicians." Woolsey loves the reaction when people walk through the doors. "People really like the pub, and I love seeing people enjoy it."
Related Stories
Maud's Variety
Josh Walters and Tyler Rawcliffe have turned their passion for music and craft beer into a successful job venture. There were a couple of things in play when we opened our bar Mauds Variety, Josh, 37, says. One is we are good friends who wanted to create something special together and an
Kaffeïne Sarnia
Younan Nanno didn't know much about the world of coffee. He just knew that he loved to drink it and he wanted to work for himself. That was his motivation to purchase his own coffee shop, Kaffeine Sarnia. "I had absolutely no experience in the coffee world," Younan says. "My only work experi
Skeeter Barlow's
George Stathis tapped out of his family's Sarnia-based restaurant business and took a different path, moving out west to become a driller on a drilling rig. Ten years later, he couldn't resist the temptation to get back into the kitchen. A cousin of mine called me and said he had a small rest
Leaping Lizards Boutique
It took becoming a grandmother for Liz Larkin to find her career path. Our daughter Emily became pregnant with our twin grandsons and when they were first born, she was buying cute onesies from people and paying upwards of $30 for customized onesies, Liz says. She said to me, "If you buy a
Related Stories
Express Employment Professionals
Bruce Hein entered the employment business in 2000 when he purchased Best Personnel. Since 2006 he has operated as part of Express Employment Professionals, the largest franchised staffing firm in North America. His mission is simple: to connect good workers with good jobs. The worst thing we can
Steve’s BBQ Detailing & Services
There is no rust growing on Steve Mansi. When the 25-year-old found himself with a lot of spare time on his hands because the lube and oil change shop he worked at wasn't very busy due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Steve started wondering what else he could do to fill his days. I was basically sitt
Angela Sundby - Photographer
Angela Sundby has turned her life-long love of photography into a picture-perfect career. The American, who moved to Sarnia from Pennsylvania 16 years ago with her husband, opened Angela Sundby Photography 10 years ago. "Photography has always been my thing," Angela says. "When my daughter was
OB1 Pierogi
Mike Genovy started making pierogies when he was six years old. "My dad and I would make dozens of pierogies every Christmas because it was a family tradition. We made potato cheddar and sauerkraut pierogies, and my dad made this...