Anyone who already has a Class 5 licence can easily get a class 4 licence, you just pay the fee and take the test. So that isn't stopping anyone from driving Uber.

As for the insurance. Uber has differing insurance options in different jurisdictions. So for example in Ontario private companies created new policy types for ride sourcing businesses. It is kind of like a private vehicle / taxi policy. It is cheaper than a regular taxi policy, but you are limited to 20 hours a week working for Uber.

If you are an Uber driver (contractor) there is already insurance in place in Saskatchewan you can buy. Just get the 2 million liability from private insurers / SGI Canada. Then register your vehicle as a taxi (PT plate). If you are in a rural area the basic insurance for a taxi plate cost is about 50% more than a regular plate. If you are in a small city is is double. If you are in Regina / Saskatoon / P.A. it is a lot because taxis there end up getting in a lot of collisions.

I am not too familiar with the app, however, I would assume Uber takes into account local market conditions / costs when determining the fares. If you want to start driving Uber in White City, there is nothing from SGI stopping you. The thing stopping Uber in Saskatoon/Regina/PA is the requirement for a Taxi Medallion, which there are a limited number.

The Mayor says Uber isn't a taxi, so the City has no ability to regulate, unless the Province gives them the authority under the Cities Act. He also says that Uber approached the City after the 2012 election to gauge interest, but hasn't approached again...

...although, I'd say I releasing this heat map of interest I Regina is a not-so-subtle way of saying there looking at Regina.
http://leaderpost.com/news/local-new...be-increasing/

(areas where there's interest are visitor areas & areas with restaurants/bars- like the airport, east end hotel strips, south Albert, Dewdney, downtown, Mosaic & the University)

I have the app on my phone intentionally to let Uber know that I would hail an uber if they were in Regina (your profile includes your address, even if you don't share your location in the background).

I'm hearing the rumour Malt City & Flip are closing. They already sold Atlantis on 11th to Brewed Awakening. Anybody else hear this?

Malt City is closing and Flip is for sale. The former sunk the latter.

Malt City tried... but the atmosphere just wasn't there. Like being in an echo chamber. Couldn't hear yourself think. Plus, it never really figured out what it was - upscale, urban bar with a food menu; gastropub (they basically borrowed Beer Bros entire menu during one iteration); tapas bar; something else? Food was hit or miss. First time we went, portions were tiny & prices were huge )which makes me think they were going after the urban crowd used to overpaying at the latest trendy restos in Toronto, Calgary & Vancouver... but on their best day they weren't in those places' league)... and it felt like we were in a hospital cafeteria (cold, sterile environment). Staff were always friendly, though.

Only complaint I have about Flip is that you always leave smelling like the place. The smell permeated clothing, making it impossible for me to go there at lunch, or prior to a show a the Globe. Because of this, I avoided Flip... maybe they addressed the issue in the past couple of years.

Malt City was a good place to drink, but I was probably 0/5 foot food

Malt City posted this to their crackbook page today:

To our Malt City friends and guests,
We would like to notify you that we will be closing our doors at the end of the month. This announcement comes with heavy hearts as we have been so appreciative of your support and of the opportunity we had here to share this beautiful space and memorable experiences over the last two years. We're looking forward to seeing you this month for some more great times. Come down, say hi and grab some food and a drink!
Sincerely,
Malt City Ownership and Management
P.S- we have 1/2 priced whisky all month long!

Red Swan Pizza to open on south Albert (just north of the Dollarama/Bonzinni's strip mall). Looks like that would be in the new building that went up in the last year.

http://www.swanpizza.com/zgrid/theme...tact/index.jsp

Yep - signage has been up for a couple weeks now.

Hm, anyone from Saskatoon care to comment on this place? Looks like a Pizza Pizza style pizza with fancier toppings.

On the subject of pizza, the Rochdale Pizza Pizza location has been converted to sister chain Pizza 73. This does not appear to affect the other locations, one of which (Vic East) is brand new.

Makes sense - it was weird to use Pizza Pizza from Manitoba eastward, Pizza73 Alberta westward... and each brand in Sask. I wouldn't be surprised to see the other locations rebrand.

EDIT: I forgot that Pizza73 is basically an AB/SK thing (there are 2 BC locations & 1 in Yukon... and there really aren't many of either brand in BC: there are 6 PizzaPizzas. Feels kind of like their brand strategy is random after the MB/SK border).

Looks like the previous stores on 11th Ave. will be turning into a night club.

https://www.noirregina.com/

I could take a picture of the changes, however, all they have done so far is take down the awning and give the front a coat of black paint.

This seems like the Rouge space according to the address?

Doh! You are totally right. I jumped the gun there. I heard about the Noir night club, saw that they were painting the front of the 11th avenue location black, and came up with a wrong conclusion.

Well I am curious about what they are putting in that building, hopefully something a bit more up my alley.

I think that's O'Hanlons (the guy, not the bar - I think) next project, which has yet to be named. More a pub/tavern style place though.

Anyone know about Noir Nightclub opening at 2415 11th Avenue?

Could 11th avenue be a new Dewdney Avenue strip with Rouge already there and maybe more to come regarding clubs and bars?

*** Oops, I searched the address again and I guess maybe Rouge is rebranding?

I don't believe it is. Last I checked, Niall still doesn't have a name for his new pub.

Quick question for anyone who might remember. What was the name of the bar on the main floor of the Chateau Tower on Broad St right a across the street from the Regina Inn. Closed many years ago but was always rocking on Sunday nights?

Barts or Bartelbys

It's still got the sign of its latest name before it closed at the corner of Broad and 12th, "Barts on Broad". :yes:.

It also lets you know that it is "Home of the Bartlefeast". ;)

The stained glass mosaic skylight from Bartleby's is in a Milwaukee museum. It was "stolen" from an historic mansion and recovered in Regina after a lawsuit.

Very interesting!

Ahh yes that's it. Thanks. That place was so much fun, used to go there all the time after the LDC games.

http://www.wisconsingazette.com/ente...0173c15cd.html

Restaurant closings
 

I know it had been mentioned in here some time back, but I see Brewsters Albert South location is closed. Chili's on Victoria Avenue East is also closed - no surprise there as it was a terrible location: poor access and hardly visible from either Victoria Avenue or Prince of Wales Drive.

Wasn't that Brewster's the rumoured location for a Hudsons Pub?

As for Chili's, did that place ever have all that much traction? Just seems like one of those chain places that gets lost in the mix (not to mention your location comments).

Chili's is a terrible restaurant. Vic East is oversaturated with restaurants. Bad food and bad location is a recipe for disaster

Chili's has been for sale for over a year and still currently listed for all of $100,000. None of that is surprising.

I eat at Chili's in the Calgary airport all the time and it is fine. I think it was the location. Maybe management?

I went there one time in 2007 when it opened. Never went back again. Surprised it lasted this long.

I'm betting location. North side of Vic (east of Ring Road) seems tough for virtually anything that gives it a go. May just be my perception - but it always seems like it's the B team retail over there... A team is in the Quance cluster*#(&.

it's got a bit better in recent years - with more traffic on that side due to hotels & retail up PoW - but I can tell ya, I wouldn't be starting a retail or restaurant on that side of Vic.

It'll be interesting to see how Fuddruckers does. I was there on Sunday. Wasn't dead, but certainly didn't have the vibe the Sasktoon one has at virtually any day/time (I would've gone South Albert if I were the Fudd's franchisee... too much burger competition in the east, and most of it more accessible)

Dehli Belly
 

For those of you who like quality Indian food, there's a new restaurant in the east end which is very good, on the same level as Caraway. It's called Dehli Belly and a good option amongst a growing number of Indian restaurants.

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...88&oe=5A4D0B05

https://www.facebook.com/DELHIBELLYINDIANCUISINE01/

Strong words. Caraway has set the bar pretty high.

Well the quality of the food was validated by two guys from India that I went with. But don't take my word for it, try it out and make your own judgement. I go to Caraway regularly so was able to do a good comparison.

I didn't mention it before, but thanks for the extra info. :cheers:

I've looked at that sign numerous times on my commute home & wondered if it will some day be heritage protected. Given the way Regina haphazardly slaps heritage designation on things, and the fact that the Barts sign has somehow escaped any damage in the 10-15years since it closed, I think it's starting to rival some heritage structures in this city.
[for clarity, I'm being sarcastic. but really, how has that sign not faded/had a rock tossed at it/etc? There are fully operational businesses with signs in worse shape]

Malt city
 

I heard a rumour that there is a new restaurant going into where Malt City was, anyone have any intel if this is true, and if true what is the new restaurant?

Most legit rumor I've heard is it's a group out of Saskatoon.

That'd be interesting... A little bit of cross-pollination with Leo's and Cathedral social hall going north recently.

Please please let it be these guys:

http://www.grassrootsrestaurantgroup.ca/

All I want is Yip Hongs which is the best Chinese food in the province

I second that vote.
One of the best meals of my life at Ayden. And the service was exceptional.

(delete)

Yes we need to get in on this. See this article about culinary explosion in Saskatoon.

http://www.foodandwine.com/travel/

Up and running...

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Sg...=w1244-h932-no

Your image doesn't work.

This looks GREAT!!!! We need more of this type of retail infill on ground floor space in downtown. Ps. Is that the new moved Royal Bank access bridge?

Yes - that's the new pedway. They're apparently aiming for late October to have it open (was previously mid/late Sept). I can smell glue/paint when passing by, so I'd bet the work on the pedway itself is pretty well complete (aside from exterior cladding), but the mall corridor isn't ready to open yet.

Starbucks must've been rushed to open - there are a lot of small finishing details left to complete. Plus, the floor is weird... they tried to expose the original tile, but slapped concrete down at the front. Hard to describe, doesn't look finished. Maybe they're aiming for a hip/vintage look - but my bet is they just didn't have a plan in place for the flooring they found, given the timelines.
(I was never in Bryan's - maybe it was like this too).

You very well could be right....

From a recent profile on Chef Dale Mackay in Nuvo Magazine:

http://nuvomagazine.com/magazine/aut...ef-dale-mackay