By Lara Fominoff @LaraFominoff on Twitter

UPDATED: Calgary’s Vintage Group to open restaurant and lounge in vacant water tower

May 22, 2018 | 2:52 PM

LETHBRIDGE – Lethbridge News Now has confirmed that Calgary-based Vintage Group will be opening a new restaurant in the city’s iconic water tower, hopefully by the beginning of July called the “Water Tower Grill.”

According to Vintage Group Operations Manager Holly Parks, there will be a more casual lounge/bar area on one level of the tower with menus to fit, with a dining room on another level, similar to what has been done in the past.

“We haven’t opened up a restaurant outside of Calgary in Alberta, so this is a pretty exciting one for us.”

She says details of the menu are still being worked on, but they are looking to do a “protein forward” menu, with plenty of locally raised products from ranchers and other producers.

“It really was an opportunity that presented itself to (President/Owner) Lance Hurtubise about a year ago…and he was approached by somebody in Lethbridge who said hey, are you interested in branching out.”

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The company is also actively recruiting employees right now and may need as many as 40 employees to start off.

The bar/lounge and restaurant will have about 200 seats altogether. That may grow or shrink as the restaurant gauges its business.

The Vintage Group operates seven award-winning restaurants in Calgary, including Bookers BBQ Grill + Crab Shack, Butcher and the Baker, Redwater Rustic Grille, Township Bar and Grill, Vintage Chophouse and Tavern and Elwood & the Rabbit.

Parks says they also believe what will set them apart is how much they’re hoping to get involved in community activities.

“You know certainly buying local, using local and being local. And any community event we can support, we’re looking forward to supporting.”

The company also has a restaurant in Prince Edward Island.

Rogue and Cut & Char closed their doors at the end of January 2017 after citing high operation costs and a slow economy.