Labone's Kitchen & Bar in Lac La Biche has very high ceilings. And while most of the year, that's where the laughs, cheers, music and business noises go, for the Halloween week, the space will also have some 'dead air'.
A 15-foot tall skeleton now stands under the 20-foot ceiling, with Labone's owner Brian Laboucane temporarily giving up the 'big guy' title at the busy downtown eatery. In addition to the big, bony bar-tender, the sports bar has a pop-up Jack in the Box with some frightful features and scary sayings and a range of other Halloween displays.
"It gets attention," said Laboucane, who seems to have a thing for anything to do with bones. The chef selected the restaurant's name from his own nickname, uses crossed bones in the logo, and makes delicacies from meat and bones, including his well-known neck-bone soups, and his special dry garlic ribs.
During challenging economic times and the current COVID-19 pandemic, Laboucane hopes the Halloween season will scare up more business for local merchants, including his downtown eatery. LaBone's — and the oversized ornaments will be open this Saturday for Halloween.
COVID and candy choices
So far, local business officials have not heard directly from downtown retailers who won't be opening to serve Halloween customers and serve candy to downtown trick or treaters. Throughout the community, Lac La Biche County councillor Colin Cote says the idea to open business doors as a merchant or open home doors as resident is going to be left up to individual preference.
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Like the goblins and ghosts still expected to be out and about, and the bony displays at the downtown restaurant, how residents choose to spend their Halloween night, will come in many shapes and sizes — and fall within existing provincial health and safety guidelines.
"I think different neighbourhoods, different houses, different places, will be doing things differently," Cote said, explaining that his own street sees upwards of 350 kids each Halloween night.
Historically, the downtown area is busy with young trick-or-treaters enjoying the rewards of the local businesses. This year, residents are urged to abide by any signs and instructions local merchants will be displaying. Some may chose not to open for trick-or-treat while others may have certain rules to continue the tradition with COVID-19 precautions in place. The provincial government has created a COVID-19 resource page for businesses. Printable signs are available on the site.
