One of Banff’s ‘blue plaque’ heritage buildings, Melissa’s is downtown’s longest established, continuously operating restaurant. It has been a local landmark since 1930 when then owner David Soole added a dining room and tavern to his 1919 Homestead Hotel—forever ending the lodge’s prohibition era ‘temperance house’ status. Melissa’s Upstairs Bar (p 158) opened in 1980 after the Gamman family (first owners to run the property year-round) vacated their personal residence. Visitors today continue to admire Melissa’s rustic lodgepole pine interior and Tudor stucco exterior. Some original light fixtures are still in use. “They’ve been rewired of course,” notes current Melissa’s co-owner Deb Boutilier Gerrie with a laugh. — Lisa Stephens
Banff, Canmore & Area, Alberta
| Today | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|
 Chance of Rain 11°/-1° | Chance Rain 9°/-2° | Chance of Rain 12°/-1° |
Stay, Dine, Do
