For Baba’s Bistro, there’s nothing more important than keeping it local and keeping it homemade.
Gary Mehls of Regina, who has strong ties to the Energy City, will be handed over the keys to the popular restaurant, which has a heavy emphasis on homemade Ukrainian meals that cater to people’s health concerns.
“The value of it (Baba’s) is really solid, and it provides something very unique for Estevan that I don’t think the city has anywhere else,” Mehls said, adding the centralized location and the potential business opportunities stemming from the upcoming 2016 Saskatchewan Games are attractive aspects of the restaurant and its potential for growth.
Mehls, who grew up in Estevan and graduated from the Estevan Comprehensive High School in 1980, said his staff management and people skills, (traits he developed while working with Sask Power and Sask Energy), will come in handy when he officially takes over on May 1.
“I get very personal with people and know what they like or don’t like,” he said. “I’m not a corporate guy, but more of a farm-boy with a hard-working attitude.”
DeeDee Chomyk, the current owner of Baba’s Bistro, said the community response to the new ownership has been extremely positive.
“Everyone is thrilled to have a home-town boy take over,” Chomyk said. “When Gary and I began talking about it, I thought to myself, ‘man, this is meant to be.’”
She said she is extremely pleased about Mehls' dedication to Baba’s original concept. The current staff at the restaurant will also remain intact.
Chomyk and Mehls have known each other for decades. The two first met at a hair salon in Prince Albert, where Chomyk used to work. Their friendship was subtle, not extending far beyond conversations during appointments.
It was in 2010, however, during a visit to Estevan - that included a trip to Baba’s -when Mehls ran into the restaurant’s owner, who happened to be Chomyk.
“I walked in to have dinner one day and, lo and behold, guess who I’m staring eye to eye at? It was DeeDee,” Mehls said.
Since then, the two have stayed in contact, and in November 2014, when DeeDee was looking for a new owner, Mehls was high on her list of candidates.
Mehls took some time to think about it, and when he discovered several weeks later that Chomyk was still looking for a new owner, his interest in the restaurant piqued. A few conversations later, it was final - Baba’s was now in Mehls' hands.
Chomyk said she will remain a member of the restaurant’s staff to oversee Mehls' transition and to help out wherever she can.
In addition, Baba’s new manager, Lutos Villeneuva, who was hired by Mehls shortly after he took on the role of owner, will assist Mehls with a number of long-term physical alterations to the restaurant, which first opened in June 2011.
Mehls said he is planning to have the restaurant’s parking lot paved and landscaped. An enclosed deck on the east side of the building will be installed shortly after. Mehls said the dusty atmosphere in Estevan during the summer requires an enclosed outdoor area, which will be made of glass and will include a fireplace.
He said he hopes to have these projects completed by 2017.
The new owner also said he would like to introduce more unique events to the restaurant, like beer tasting events and workshops for businesses. He mentioned the comedy show hosted by Baba’s back in November, and noted how successful it was.
“It’s all about advertising and trying to draw in more customers,” Mehls said, adding the restaurant will also be open on weekends starting May 1.
Mehls lives with his wife Darlene and his daughter Jinger, 7, who they adopted from China in 2010. Mehls also has an older daughter, Chelsey, who lives in Calgary.
Mehls, Darlene and Jinger are looking forward to the restaurant becoming a prominent part of their lives.
“They’re both very excited,” Mehls said.
