Name: Tyson Reimer
Title: Owner and Chef
Organization/Business: Peckinpah
Social: @peckinpahbbq
What do you do and how did you get here?
I am the owner and head chef here at Peckinpah BBQ. About 12 years ago, I returned to Vancouver with the idea of opening my own restaurant. I had previously spent 5 years as a chef on private yachts, sailing everywhere and exploring many beautiful places and distant lands. Coming back to Vancouver, it was easy to find a place to setup a business, as rents were a lot cheaper than now. I soon opened Cobre, serving Latin American food, then Deacon’s Corner, a diner. At the same time, I had my eye on the Alhambra Building, which is one of the nicest locations in Gastown. It had sat empty for two years, yet despite my efforts, the building remained dormant. One day I received a call from the Alhambra building manager asking me If I was still interested. We moved on it right away, gutted the place and created our own Southern Carolina BBQ joint, smack dab in the heart of Gastown.
How did the name come about?
Samuel Peckinpah was an American film director and screenwriter, known for making movies in the western genre.I was watching one of his movies where in the opening scene, Pat Garrett and Billy The Kid are hanging out in this remote, dirt floor, cantina type bar in some little pueblo in Mexico. I thought the place looked really cool, so I was inspired to create something similar where all kinds of people could hang out, drink, talk and eat good food.
If you only had 15 minutes to spend in Gastown, how would you spend it?
Coffeebar. If there’s a place I spend more time in than Peckinpah or at home, it’s Coffeebar.
What do you like about Gastown?
There is always constant flow of people in the neighbourhood. Folks from everywhere really. Some locals complain about all the tourists traipsing around, but I love them. I get to meet and talk to people from all over the world. It’s great!
What’s your philosophy for a good life?
Don’t take anything for granted. Don’t sweat the small stuff – it’s not nearly as important or scary as you think. Life life, enjoy it, appreciate it.