Rivers Reach Pub

It's no surprise that pizza is a mainstay on the eclectic menu at River's Reach Pub, a prime watering hole in New Westminster. Owner George grew up in the restaurant industry and pizza was the pillar of the family business since the late '60s; his father Christos was one of the founders of Boston Pizza and in 2012 was inducted into their Hall of Fame.

In the early 1970s Christos opened both Boston Pizza and Olympia Pizza in Vancouver and in the late '70s he launched a chain of 14 Venus Pizza locations. George learned all aspects of the restaurant business from his father and in the '80s opened Venus Place in New Westminster. After acquiring a pub license and taking on the role as project manger for the rebuild in late 1999, George reopened the venue in December 2000 as River's Reach Pub.

"The restaurant business was one aspect of what I wanted to do," says George. "I liked the nightlife, and had built up such a great clientele since I first got involved at 19. I realized New West needed a nice pub and we have been blessed with good clients and a tremendous following."