THUNDER BAY -- Tourism, traffic, sightseeing, metropolis: these are the words most commonly associated with the double-decker bus. But local Michelle Hamilton made it her dream to add restaurant to the list.
Three-and-a-half years ago, she was out of work for personal reasons and wanted to take on something ambitious.
Fast forward to the present, and Hamilton is the proud owner of The Union Jack’d Bustraunt, one of the most unique places to eat in Thunder Bay.
It’s a double-decker bus, and a restaurant all in one. And it’s the imagination of Michelle Hamilton come to life.
A testament to her Scottish roots, this particular double-decker bus spent many years as a piece of the restaurant aesthetic in Beaver Bay.
To make her dream come true, the bustraunt was fully renovated with supplies found at Habitat for Humanity’s Restore.
“A lot of this stuff I had to be very creative,” Hamilton said. “I had limited money so that’s why it took this long.”
Sure enough, Hamilton was able to transform an old bus into a fully functional and mobile restaurant.
She re-purposed ReStore items such as electrical wire spools for tables, canvas material for curtains, and old countertops for her kitchen.
“We were just thrilled to see what she was able to do and how creative she was,” said Habitat for Humanity CEO Randy Moore.
The kitchen is located on the first floor, with seating areas on the second deck and outside. Hamilton says the menus will be inspired by those who choose to dine in her restaurant.
“It’s going to evolve. It’s a small menu, but I’m catering to the customer and they are going to create my menu,” Hamilton said.
Union Jack’d will have a stationary location at Northern Lights Golf Club, but she hopes to move around the city throughout the summer.
It will be open for business Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore on Squier Street.
“I want this to be part of Thunder Bay. I want this to be a landmark.”
