History of the Village Inn, Bradford, Ontario
The Village Inn is situated at the crossroads of Highway 88 and Highway 11, and is the Legendary Landmark at the four corners of Bradford, Ontario. Food, lodgings, and hospitality serve as its trademark. This history goes back to the 1900’s, to horse and buggy days, when the Village Inn was a favourite meeting place for local residents and travellers en route for other parts of the country. The building survived a couple of fires including the great downtown fire of 1957. In 1980, it was hit by a crane that was trying to negotiate the intersection.
The architect of the Village Inn was, E.J. Lennox, one of Toronto’s foremost architects who also built Toronto’s Old City Hall, the West Wing of the Ontario Legislature – Queens Park, and the King Edward Hotel. This year, in celebration of the 40th anniversary under the same management, the Village Inn has undergone an extensive makeover. “It was an opportunity to upgrade the exterior and inspire downtown merchants to follow suit”, said partner Stephen Dykie. Drawings were rendered by Archxes Design under the direction of John Robulak. Local tradesmen, engaged to provide their skills and knowledge, included Van Kuik Masonry, Gord Cook, and Rod Layden.
The Village Inn, once again, graces downtown Bradford in a proud and stately fashion. The friendly management (the Dykie’s: Bill, Stephen, and Bill Jr.) and staff continue to welcome local residents and tourists to enjoy fabulous food, entertainment, and hospitality. “We’re in for the long haul, that’s why we are investing in our business,” says Bill Jr. “We want to continue to build a viable landmark business that pays taxes, employs local people, and sets the standard for the best chicken wings in Canada.”
Bradford’s Landmark is not to be missed!
History of the Village Inn’s Buffalo-style Buffalo Wings
Bill Dykie Sr. recalls that in the early 1970’s, chicken wings were beginning to become a popular food choice in Buffalo and at His McLeod Hotel location in Ridgeway Ontario. Bill was determined to bring them to Bradford. Initially, they had to be served as samplers, but the chicken wing craze “took off’. The Dykie family developed their own sauces and the recipe for the blue cheese dressing remains a closely-guarded secret. Bill proudly states, “We were the first in Ontario, and our customers tell us that the Village Inn wings are simply, “The Best!”
The Village Inn serves a diverse menu of pub-style food. It was granted a draught licence in 1937, and in the 1960’s the Village received a licence to serve mixed drinks. This licence is believed to be one of the first issued north of the Silver Rail in Toronto, Ontario.
The Village Inn’s History of Premier Musicians & Hall of Fame
The Village Inn, Bradford has offered many types of entertainment, over the years from live bands and disc jockeys to magicians, comedians and more. Guest hosts from local television and radio stations, as well as community leaders have been an integral part of many entertainment productions.
Famous entertainers, who have played at the Village Inn include: Stompin’ Tom Connors, Glass Tiger, Goddo, McLean and McLean, Lee Aaron, and Haywire. Past and present Tribute Bands include: Bon Jovi, Fleetwood Mac, Elvis, Abba, Rod Stewart, Kiss, Garth Brooks, AC/ DC, Neil Diamond, Tom Jones, and Aerosmith. Cover Bands have added further entertainment throughout the years, such as, Cajun Moon, Hotel California, Shania Twin, Thunderstruck, Andy Nichols, Hot Rocks, and Superfreak,
Celebrities, who have visited the Village Inn include: the Incredible Hulk Lou Ferringo visited in 1977when he was trying out for the Argos. Anthony Davis, Chuck Ealey, Jim Corrigal, Dave Whiteside, Corneilus Walker, Larry Uteck Terry Shelsta, and Mike Horton were among the CFL stars, who enjoyed a little respite from the rigors of training camp
The Village Inn’s Hosts Major Events: Past & Present
The location, large space, and ambience of the Village Inn have made it conducive to host many exciting public events. In recent history Carrot fest has grown from modest roots to being one of Bradford’s largest outdoor summer events. Every year the Village Inn hosts a successful Halloween Party and New Year’s Party. Television commercials and movies have used the Village Inn as their media set. Corporate functions from Christmas parties to various Family events are commonly held in many areas of the spacious venue. Wedding anniversaries are celebrated as married couples reminisce where they dated as young people. Now their kids frequent the Village Inn.
Listed among further events are: Southwestern Regional Arm Wrestling Championship, professional wrestling, Kadesh the 450 pound Tiger, ‘free-to-play’ poker tournaments, dart tournaments, billiard tournaments, and fashion shows.
The Village Inn has played an important part in the history of Bradford, and it will continue, into the future, to be a leading entertainment and social landmark for southern Ontario.
