It might be showing its age but it’s also a sentimental Delta landmark that’s been around longer than most people can remember.
The Delta Town & Country Inn has played host to countless guests and functions for over 50 years, but will soon be torn down to make way for Gateway’s $70-million casino/hotel complex.
The restaurant is scheduled to close its doors next Tuesday, while the hotel at the junction of highways 17A and 99 will close for good on Oct. 9.
What made the old hotel so special for so many has been its employees, many of whom have worked there for over 20, 30 and even 40 years.
The longest-serving employee at the Meadows restaurant is Debbie Bown, who started in 1974. She says it’s a special place enjoyed by many regulars.
“It’s always been a mellow kind of place and everything has gone smoothly, always a good atmosphere,” says Bown, who now lives in Aldergrove but continues to commute to the Town & Country.
Bown was married in the hotel, having met her husband there. Their kids were also married at the T&C.
“I’m sad and probably going to cry when it’s done, but things have to progress,” she says. “I’ve had a great time working here and I’m going to miss this place. I know the locals are quite sad about it. There’s lots of memories.”
Karen Morris, a 34-year employee who married her first husband there and met her second husband, a guest, at the Town & Country, can see the hotel from her kitchen window in Ladner. She says it’ll be sad that view will soon be gone.
“We had a lot of laughs and they’re like family in here, the staff and regulars, and over half of us working here have been here over 25 years. We’ve spent more time together than we did (with) our spouses; one big family through good times and sad times together.”
Morris says a few celebrities have paid a visit over the years, including rapper Eminem, who, when asked who he was, quipped he was a vacuum cleaner salesman.
Long-time Delta residents and former civic councillors Doug Massey and John Savage say the hotel is a source of countless memories, and many people have a sentimental attachment, but it’s also time to move on.
“I remember when they allowed us to place a large billboard on their property next to highway promoting the saving of Delta Hospital,” says Massey. “I also remember attending many functions there, including Tsawwassen treaty negotiations, public hearings, birthdays and celebrations of life.”
Saying he remembers many political events being held there over the years, Savage says it was one of the few places in the city that had adequate meeting space.
“It’s been a grand place to be but time goes on and things change. Time has come when we have to accept that reality and move ahead,” adds Savage.
Ladner resident Trudy Howard says it’s going to be sad seeing the old hotel come down.
“We live in Ladner now, but I guess growing up in Richmond, every time we came through the tunnel we passed the Town & Country. It is a landmark, but over time it’s become more. We have gone to the T&C for Christmas lunches in the beautifully decorated dining room, my husband’s mother and her husband held their reception there, I’ve gone to craft fairs there, we know people who played tennis there. It’s just always been there and somehow become a backdrop in our life... and soon it will be gone.”
She says over the past couple of years they’ve re-discovered the restaurant.
“Every Sunday, just like a lot of other locals, we go there for breakfast. It’s hard to explain what the Meadows has become to us. The first thing, the most important thing, and what makes Meadows Meadows, has to be the ladies who work there. These ladies, some who have worked there for decades, are pretty darn wonderful.”
Town & Country owner Ron Toigo, whose father Peter purchased the hotel in the early 1980s, says it was a Delta hub thanks to its valuable meeting rooms and central location.
“Every political meeting that I ever recall has taken place there, regardless of whatever political party or stripe you’re talking about,” Toigo says. “The staff has always been very good and everybody knew each other. It’s got a lot of history for this area.”
During the casino application, he told the Optimist even if there hadn’t been a redevelopment proposal he would likely be taking a hard look at the future of the site. He also noted he would not be involved with the casino/hotel, other than leasing the site to Gateway.
The new complex is scheduled to open in 2020.
