Sheet Harbour gets a local

SHEET HARBOUR, NS—Located in a 96-year-old former inn, the Henley House Pub and Restaurant is now open for business.
 
Meryl and Bradley Atkinson own the 1,200 square foot pub, which has seating for 92 in the dining room, pub and out on the patio. 

“Being from Wales, I believe every community should have a social gathering place, like the local pub,” said Meryl Atkinson.

She said the area has only had a couple of places for visitors, which often shut their doors at 8 p.m. When the restaurants closed for the night, the tourists had no reason to stay in town.

“My husband and I moved here 16 years ago, raised (and are still raising) four children and have always talked about doing this, so we did.”

Menu prices for dinner range from $9 to $19. Wing night is Wednesday starting at 8.30 p.m.

“The most popular items on our opening menu are the fish and chips, steak and ale pie and chicken parmegiano,” Atkinson said. Anthony Hedges, formerly of Dalhousie University’s University Club, is the restaurant’s head chef.

In renovating the building, the Atkinsons made sure to keep the historic features of Henley House.

“The interior is comfortable and inviting with warm colours, a feature stone wall and rich dark furniture.  We have maintained a large part of the original flooring and wood trimwork.”

The pub features live music and hours are 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and 12 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Sheet Harbour, population 800, is 120 kilometres east of Halifax.