Abars artifacts to be preserved at Chimczuk Museum
History buffs who hoped to save Abars by making it a heritage site will have to be happy with seeing a few of the iconic riverfront tavern's items eventually on display at the Chimczuk Museum at the Art Gallery of Windsor downtown.
Before the building at Riverside Drive E. and Lauzon Road — and thought by some to be linked to rum running — was razed, staff saved some of the items they felt had historic value.
During Prohibition, the bar was allegedly a popular hangout for celebrities like Babe Ruth and the gangster Al Capone.
CBC Windsor Afternoon Drive host Bob Steele got to take a look at the items, now in storage.
Items include plates, with the old Island View Hotel logo on them, the bar, pieces of linoleum flooring, doors, bar stools and a couch.
Here are some of the photos Bob Steele snapped Wednesday.
Warning: One of these photos could be considered graphic and offensive to some.
Originally owned by the Hebert family, Abars was first named Island View Tavern and used to offer lodging services.
Unfortunately, vandals entered Abars after it closed and before it was razed and spray painted a giant penis on the bar.
The Hebert family sold the bar to one of its long-standing employees, according to the city. The building was eventually bought by the Canadian Transit Company, which owns the Ambassador Bridge, and then sold to one of its subsidiaries.
Abars was listed on the Windsor Municipal Heritage Register by City Council in 2010.
Being on the registry means a property owner can't demolish the buildings right away. It means demolition can't be done within 60 days from the time of permit request to a council decision.
Being added to the registry doesn't mean a property can't be renovated or modified, though.
However, council decided earlier this year to allow the building to be razed. It fell Tuesday.