When the Calgary Flames battled their way to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2004, fans gravitated to 17th Avenue, packing restaurants and bars to cheer on their hockey heroes.

Located at the centre of the cup fever was Melrose Café & Bar, which welcomed thousands of patrons into its lounge to watch the games and guaranteed its place in local history by becoming the Heart of the Red Mile.

The Stanley Cup press coverage might have vocalized it, but Calgarians have always known Melrose occupies a special place in Calgary’s entertainment scene.

The Melrose story is a fascinating one that begins in 1991, when on October 1, Melrose opened its doors and began serving guests in Calgary’s soon-to-be-trendy 17th Avenue neighbourhood.