The Grape, Crushed

The Crushed Grape Wine and Food Bar closed its doors for the last time at the end of November.   A sad thing for the community it had been nestled in for quite some time.    The restaurant was not only a delight to eat at, but also served as a bit of a hub for a number of local artists and performers to connect and network in, while also providing them a decent space to show off the fruits of their work.    I never managed to get to “The Grape” (as the community endearingly came to call it) very often, maybe a handful of times, but the restaurant sure did a great job at creating a comfortable atmosphere featuring fantastic food, a fine selection of wine, a dandy crew of staff, and the most wonderful clientele.

Looking back, I regret not frequenting The Grape more often. I did, however, manage to get there on the last night it was open, and I can’t honestly remember ever walking into a place with so much energy. There was a “Crush the Grape” party that invited the public, but particularly all those who held the establishment so dear to their hearts, to send the restaurant out with a bang. And sending it off with a bang they surely did.

The place was absolutely packed beyond movement.  A live band, formed specifically for the occasion (called the “Crushed Grape All Stars” or something to that effect), played to a wild crowd of people that danced on tables, booths, or wherever they could find the room. Under any other circumstances I would have called the event a ‘gong show’, but for some reason it seemed apt for The Grape’s last night; truly reflective of the eclectic and unpredictable nature the place had come to be known for.

What I will mourn the most with the restaurant’s demise though, is its strong contribution to the local arts scene. It’s apparent that Regina is lacking in space for artists to showcase their work, and the closing of The Grape is just going make things that much worse.   The Grape was always a reliable venue that kept its doors open to any artists looking to promote their creations whether on the walls, or in the form of live performances.  They rarely turned anyone away, and as a result, hosted a number of interesting art shows that go beyond featuring your typical 'restaurant art'.    Recent examples include a sound performance that attempted to match recorded tones to samples of wine (the notes and tones tasted in the wine corresponded to those that were heard in the music samples).    They also held an art opening just prior to their closing that explored the processes of developing an Alter-ego.   Artists that were involved in the project were encouraged to create a work of art, complete with a biography of their fictitious counterpart, to display on the walls of the restaurant.  

While it is a sad thing to see The Grape go, I have to admit I am quite excited to see who takes over the space and what they plan to do with it.   I just hope that whoever it is will have the good sense to continue allowing our local artists to be involved with whatever happens there.