Hospitality | Lone Star
Lone Star makes its Manchester return On its 25th anniversary, the Lone Star Manchester Street will become one of Christchurch’s first restaurants to re-open on the very same site it stood pre-earthquake. Another iconic venue to add to the growing social scene of our city, the rekindled Lone Star will shine brightly from the very spot where the brand was established a quarter of a century ago. Being staunch and walking tall
and fit-out had plenty of elements that paid homage to the beautiful old Lone Star building that had marinated for 22 years.”
The Lone Star’s 25th anniversary is a remarkable milestone and what better way to mark it than to return to the place where it all started on September 13, 1988.
The new Manchester Street Lone Star replaces the founding restaurant dubbed the ‘mothership’ by the staff and the management team.
Tim Whelan, one of the founding directors of the Lone Star is overjoyed to be returning to the old stomping ground. “We’re delighted to be back at 26 Manchester Street where the Lone Star began. It’s a thrill to have a brand spanking safe new building and it’s going to be a great restaurant. It’s really special for us and we believe for the people of Christchurch.” The new building has a substantial footprint of 750 sqm, which is a third larger than the original Lone Star. Importantly, it will retain its traditional cowboy themed interior that has become a hallmark of the Lone Star brand country wide. Founding partner Steve Ward says “It was really important for us that the new design
Tim Whelan says not only does this represent a monumental move for the company, it’s also a great indicator to Christchurch folk that the tides are changing. “We hope that our re-opening shows the people of Christchurch that the dark days are gone and the old favourite places are coming back. We’ve had people in tears because they see it as a turning point, which is just amazing to know that our brand has left such an impression on our guests. Without them we would not have been able to become the restaurant icon that we are.” The new Lone Star has been robustly constructed to comply with 100 percent of the New Building Standard (NBS), setting the bar high for other returning restaurants and bars in the city.
Ward reiterates that “While not required to meet 100 percent of the NBS, our absolute prerequisite for the whole build was to make it safe, hence the foundations go down 22 metres”. The architectural design reflects the strength of the new building and vertical wooden fins stand tall to reiterate the Lone Star’s growth and stronger return in the face of adversity. With the benefit of hindsight from the original Lone Star, the new premises has been able to factor in new features such as a 60 seat function room (ideal for corporate events and Christmas parties) and outdoor dining areas.
“We’ve managed to use some of the old bricks to make an interior wall for the new café along with art, memorabilia and our Indian who stood guard at the door. Even ‘Niggles the Crusaders pig’ who we thought we’d lost will be back,” Whelan says.
Whelan says it’s exciting times for the Lone Star. “We’re thrilled to be back where we belong, we made this part of town famous and now we’ve returned. We never thought about moving anywhere else, even if we could have. It’s our patch and we’re pleased we were able to be allowed back into the original plot.” In keeping with the theme of rising from the ashes, the Lone Star has managed to reuse many of the materials salvaged from the old mothership.
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