The Crushed Can Sports Bar & Nightclub underwent some big changes in the past year, leading the restaurant to take home the Business Innovation Award at the recent Moose Jaw Business Excellence (MJBEX) Awards.
“Our family’s really proud to have been in business here for about a dozen years, and it's really great to be recognized,” said owner Alex Carleton, who accepted the award on behalf of the restaurant and nightclub. “I appreciate the people that nominated us and I appreciate the award and the recognition.”
The Crushed Can has adapted in many different ways over the past year, said Carleton, including a menu update, extensive renovations inside the restaurant and a partnership with the low-key craft beer lounge downstairs, Cask 82 Ale & Table.
Winning an award recognizing the hard work that goes into innovating new ideas is great, said Carleton, especially when it also prompts recognition for small businesses like his that try and support the community.
“It's great to be recognized, but it's just great to always have the communities support,” said Carleton. “It's very fulfilling, being able to help out different organizations and different people, and that’s probably the greatest part of being a small business, is being part of the community.”
Carleton also said that expanding the Crushed Can’s repertoire has certainly paid off already, even without the award win.
With the inclusion of a rec room full of arcade games and a “minors welcome until 8 p.m.” policy, the city’s longstanding nightclub is now welcoming to a whole new crowd of customers into its large dining room space.
“We’ll always be known for the late-night nightclub part of what we do, but that’s just a thing on the weekends nowadays, with the business evolving and bringing Cask 82 on board as well, [and] it's been going over really well,” said Carleton. “You have to stay relevant and if you don’t, you’re in real trouble as a business, so we’re just trying to make sure we’re keeping up with the times.”
Restaurants like the Crushed Can have had a tough year thanks to the pandemic, which means Carleton is even more grateful for the support he has seen from the community.
This is the first-ever MJBEX Award win for The Crushed Can, after several nominations in years previous, and Carleton is glad to finally bring home some hardware for his local business.
