THE JOHN B PUB: How to Survive and Thrive for 30 Years
by Jonathan Niven

When John and Lisa Lepinski opened the doors to their pub in March of 1978, they couldn’t imagine what the liquor primary industry would look like today or what their role might be in it. Thirty years later, the Lepinskis are still going strong and the next generation has moved in to carry them forward. 

It may have seemed an odd choice at the time; a registered nurse and a commercial pilot deciding to pursue one of the first “Neighbourhood Pub” licenses in the province, but that’s exactly what Lisa and John Lepinski did. In those days there was a great deal of caution with local governments as well as the public and provincial regulators. Just getting license approval took months or even years, with no guarantee of approval. 

The John B Pub opened in Coquitlam across the street from its current location and curious patrons started coming by to see what this “Neighbourhood Pub” concept was all about. Back in the days of “beer parlours” the idea of a neighbourhood pub with enhanced food offerings, cozy atmosphere, and unlimited beverage selection was a new concept, and one that stirred significant controversy at the time. Of course, the Lepinskis have seen a tremendous amount of change in the industry over the last 30 years, but the John B has thrived over that time and continues to be one of the area’s most popular pubs. 

In 1989, the Lepinskis purchased land directly across the street for the pub’s new location and proceeded to build a larger establishment with provisions for a cold beer & wine store and prize winning patio. Today, there is no lack of local competition. Five bars and pubs and 8 “pub-style” restaurants are within the immediate area, as are 7 private LRSs and 3 government liquor stores (one in the same plaza) within a 2 km radius. Keeping ahead of the competition and maintaining market share is something Lisa and John and their team work at every day. 
The John B has always been known for its wide variety of products. It started with 22 different beers on tap, and providing patrons a choice of over 400 bottles of product has been a hallmark ever since. Now the back bar features a stunning 83 choices of single malt scotch! (It has now become one of this reporter’s life goals to work his way through the top row.)

The LRS has a similar selection of spirits and a vast array of wines, both domestic and imported. Of course with a government liquor store in the same plaza, providing outstanding variety and service is the only way to compete. 
A wide selection also extends beyond the bar and LRS to the kitchen. Chef Toh creates new and innovative dishes every week and everything is made from scratch in the pub’s kitchen. As guests’ tastes and eating habits have changed over the years, so has the pub’s food offerings. Healthier menu choices, a wide selection of local and international flavours, and consistent high quality has allowed the pub to compete with full-service chain restaurants in the area.

However, product selection hasn’t been the only thing that has kept the John B thriving for three decades. In Lisa’s words, they have always tried to be “innovators, not imitators”. When others were busy building smoking rooms to accommodate new provincial laws, the John B saw the future and went totally non-smoking. The pub has won awards for its patio complete with a fountain and beautifully manicured gardens. The pub was one of the first to support and promote “Dry Grads” and community fundraising and charity work has been a huge part of what makes the John B special with its guests. The pub recently received the Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life 2007 “Top Fundraisers Small Business” Award, when it raised over $16,000. Of course, without the support of its patrons, this kind of charity work would simply not be possible, and the Lepinskis are very grateful that they have the kind of staff and patrons who support the community so well. 

The John B is a family owned and managed operation, of which daughter and son, Tara and Brent, now play an increasingly important role. Both children received business degrees from university and now work alongside their parents on a daily basis. Since turning of age, Tara and Brent have worked in every aspect of the pub. Brent’s wife Maria is now also being introduced to the many phases of the industry. Brian Coomer, the pub’s manager, has been with the John B from day one and is considered to be one of the family. Brian has been very involved and helpful addressing the many evolving changes in the industry. 

Another area of the business that is very important to the Lepinskis is being actively involved in ABLE BC (formerly the NPOA). Both John and Lisa have been board directors of the association and John is a current Director, committed to helping the industry evolve and succeed. 

John points out that only through the work of ABLE BC can the industry achieve the goals that will ultimately allow the entire industry to thrive in the coming years. In addition to the obvious networking benefits, John maintains that the association is in the best position to provide operators with advocacy on issues such as licensing, lotteries, product pricing, insurance, and public safety. The association is the best voice for publicans to communicate with all regulatory bodies within the industry. As the lines become even more blurred between food primary and liquor primary establishments, John believes that ABLE BC can help to maintain the image of the neighbourhood pub and the identity of the liquor primary operators. 

As Lisa and John hand over the responsibility of their operation to the next generation, they both still have infectious smiles and an obvious love of their pub and the industry itself. When asked for some words of wisdom and encouragement to fellow operators, Lisa says, “Enjoy what you’re doing and do it with passion.” John’s advice is “Get active in the industry and ABLE.” Their ability to survive and thrive over 30 years can be summed up with their pub’s motto: 

“There are no strangers at the John B, only friends that have not yet met.”