Moonrakers will be serving its last Maple Moon and Foghorn burgers as the longtime business prepares to close its doors.
The pub, located at 525 Seventh St., is set to close on Monday, Aug. 5. Moonrakers' owner, JAK Group, has sold the pub, which will be closed for renovations and reopen as the Union Jack Public House in September.
"It's been an honour to serve the New Westminster neighbourhood, as well as visitors to the area, over the past four years," said Mike McKee. "All of us at Moonrakers are very pleased to have met so many great people, and we are very proud of what we have accomplished together."
Moonrakers opened in the uptown neighbourhood in 1979 under the ownership of Phil Potter.
The pub was named after a Potter family pub
in England, but refers to a folk story set in the time when smuggling was a tangible industry in rural England, according to a press release.
Since purchasing Moonrakers in November 2009, McKee has directed a number of community initiatives, including a Christmas Day meal for local seniors, a send-kidsto-camp luncheon for Fraserside Community Services and several fundraisers for the B.C. Hospitality Foundation.
McKee and staff are grateful to the many guests and regulars who have visited Moonrakers, and invite them to drop by before the doors close on Aug. 5 at 11 p.m. A customer appreciation night is being held on Saturday, Aug. 3 from 4 p.m. (till late) and includes a burger and beer special, and DJ, as well as prizes.
After undergoing extensive renovations, Union Jack Public House will reopen at the location in September.
Book for sale Richard McDonald's love of family and friends shines through in a recently published memoir. Members of the Royal City Writers worked with residents of the Cliff Block to tell their life stories.
My Story, which is McDonald's story as told to Heather Ray Bax, begins in the years before he lived at Woodlands, his residency at Woodlands from 1952 to 1962, and the years since.
"I wanted people to know about what it was like in Woodlands," he said.
McDonald's story includes specific chapters on Remembering Woodlands and The Special Ladies in My Life. McDonald is selling copies of the soft-cover book for $15.
"I'm quite active. I have a lot of friends because I have a fantastic attitude. I've been through a lot, and I've persevered," he said. "For 10 years I've been with a self-advocate group called the B.C. People First Society. This group takes on issues for other self-advocates who need help. I also work for the Burnaby NOW newspaper."
To buy a copy of McDonald's book, email richmcdo17@gmail.com.
Send Around Town items to tmcmanus@royalcity record.com.
