Meet the ABLE BC Board of Directors: Owen Coomer, Director
Owen Coomer is one of our new Directors and we hope you’ll join us in welcoming him to the ABLE BC Board! He is a passionate hospitality professional, active community member, and fierce defender of BC’s private liquor industry. Having grown up in the pub business, Owen’s father helped to open the John B Pub back in 1978, the industry really is Owen’s home and in his blood. He’s seen first-hand how pubs, bars, and liquor retail have grown and developed over the years, and he is grateful to now play a part in the future of BCs private liquor industry.
Owen’s first job was working the back stock room of a liquor store at just 15 (he never sold anything to customers though!). Later on, while he was attending BCIT studying for his business degree, Owen worked behind the bar for John B Pub and learned as much as he could about hospitality management and community involvement from his mentors and colleagues. Owen then became the manager of the John B Pub for 18 years before moving over to The Taphouse Taverns, working at both locations in Coquitlam and Guildford. He's had a few roles over the years and is now the Operations Manager, with a goal of ownership in his sights. Owen is focused on growing the business and bringing his passion to every aspect of the job, whether he’s providing leadership to his team, working on business development and marketing, pouring drinks behind the bar, or just filling out paperwork. Owen and his team have big plans for The Taphouse in the future, so stay tuned!
Owen has been involved with ABLE BC for nearly his whole career. The John B Pub was one of the early ABLE members, and The Taphouse has been a member since opening its first location. In recent years, Owen has become a much more active member and has made sure to gain the experience necessary to be a valuable and effective board member. Now that he is one of our directors, Owen is looking forward to playing a key role in the betterment of BCs private liquor industry. In particular, he wants to ensure that third-party delivery fees remained capped to protect profit margins for both LP and LRS businesses. He also has a keen interest in finding innovative ways to handle the current labour crisis and will be looking into tech solutions and automation.
Owen is excited to have joined the ABLE Board of Directors this year and he’s looking forward to playing a role in modernizing liquor laws and helping guide our policy priorities. He is proud of what ABLE has accomplished so far and he is eager to be a part of continued positive change.
Next time you see Owen out and about, be sure to ask him about his current cocktail favourites – he’s diligently doing his research to find the best!