Doors open at the Trail’s End

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This article was published 02/02/2017 (2632 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Area residents, snowmobilers and summer campers now have a place to eat and socialize in Woodridge, as Rene Normandeau has recently reopened the community’s only restaurant.

Normandeau, who lives outside Woodridge, opened the Trail’s End Tavern with his common-law partner, Pam, on Provincial Road 210 two weeks ago.

The restaurant that used to sit on the Trail’s End Tavern’s lot burned down in 2011. About three years ago, the tavern’s existing building was built and became home to a restaurant that lasted about a year. The building was vacant for another year until Normandeau bought the space.

“We came in and renovated the whole place. We added all the booths and paintings,” said Normandeau. “We just tried to make it look somewhat like a restaurant that suits the area, because in Woodridge there are a variety of people who come out here.”

There are the locals and the local coffee-drinkers. There are the snowmobilers, the hunters and the fisherman, Normandeau said. Also likely to come is the summer camping crowd.

“We wanted to suit the vast clientele that we have,” he adds.

The tavern has an open-spaced area for people who want to socialize a drink coffee. There are wooden booths in the second half of the restaurant, catering to the crowd who wants to have a quaint meal with family. There is also a lounge for anyone who wants to have a drink.

After 23 years in various media-related roles, like an audio engineer and editor, Normandeau was laid off. After doing odd jobs for a while, Normandeau began looking at the restaurant with Pam.

“We thought we might as well give it a shot and see what we can do with it,” said Normandeau.

Since it opened, the Trail’s End Tavern has been met with positive response from residents and has been very busy, Normandeau said.

“The people in the area are super happy that the restaurant is open again. Otherwise, there isn’t anything close by. The closest restaurant to Woodridge is either in South Junction or Marchand. You’re looking at a 20 minute drive wherever you’re going.”

The tavern’s menu includes a variety to cater to the different clientele that will walk through its doors.

“If you want to come and have a nice meal, we have some nice shrimp pasta and fettucine alfredo. We got a pizza oven, so we’ve added pizza to the menu. We also got your normal breakfasts, lunches and sandwiches,” said Normandeau, adding the tavern is also licensed to sell alcohol.

When renovating the restaurant, Normandeau used supplies, like rough lumber, from local suppliers and residents. The paintings in each booth are also from an area resident.

“I try to support them because they are the ones who will support me,” said Normandeau, adding he’s thankful for the support he’s received from residents. “There are a lot of good people in the area.”

Trail’s End Tavern is opened from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. They are closed on Mondays. Normandeau notes these are their winter hours, which may change come summer.