We're Back.
Our origin dates all the way back to the early 1970's. To make a very long story short, we're back and we're raising the bar (pun intended). We are hitting the ground running and stacking up accounts. There has been a severe lack of quality and standards up to this point but now that we are back in action, we are seeing the ripple effect of healthy competition. Our future is yet to be written but our history can be found below.
The JR’s Story: Over 50 Years of Saskatchewan Excellence
A Foundation Built in the 1970s
Our story began in North Battleford in the mid-1970s, when Robert (Bob) Odishaw recognized a need for specialized service in the hospitality industry. Long before modern draft standards existed, Bob was a pioneer, renting sophisticated liquor systems to bars and restaurants across the province. Together with his wife, Leona (Lee), Bob built a reputation for reliability and ingenuity that has now spanned over five decades.
The Expansion: The Legend of John (JR) Odishaw
The business entered a new era of growth and technical mastery in the 1990s. Following Bob’s quadruple bypass surgery, his son JR Odishaw moved to Saskatoon to lead the family business and spearheaded a massive expansion.
John didn’t just run the company; he became a legend in the industry. Known for his ability to solve the most complex pouring and technical problems, John was a master of the "perfect pour." His engineering was so renowned that he built the custom portable liquor system used by the Camrose Jamboree for an entire decade—a feat of technical durability that remains a gold standard. Under John’s leadership, JR’s Bar Systems became the definitive authority on draft and liquor technology in Saskatoon and across the province.
The Next Generation: Hospitality Meets Technical Expertise
The legacy continued when Mitch Lupichuk joined the team. After graduating and honing his craft in Lake Louise, where he earned his Hospitality Certificate, Mitch brought a professional service perspective to the family business.
Working alongside John, Mitch helped bridge the gap between technical back-of-house excellence and front-of-house hospitality. Together, they developed the specialized Line Cleaning Division and the Clean Beer Program, ensuring that every pint served was exactly as the brewer intended.
A New Chapter: Experience on Both Sides of the Bar
In 2014, Mitch took his expertise to the next level by co-founding and running the Capitol Music Club in Saskatoon. Having spent the last decade as a venue owner, Mitch understands the challenges of the industry from the inside out.
Today, while continuing to lead the Capitol, Mitch is bringing JR’s Bar Systems back to its specialized roots. We are taking 50 years of family knowledge and technical mastery and putting it to work for the next generation of Saskatchewan’s taprooms.
Why Our History Matters
"We’ve been in Saskatchewan’s bars since the 1970s. From Bob’s first rental systems to JR’s legendary custom builds and Mitch’s first-hand experience as a venue owner, we provide a level of expertise you simply can't find anywhere else."
Quick Facts:
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Established: Mid-1970s
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The Pioneer: Robert (Bob) Odishaw
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The Technical Legend: John Odishaw (Designer of the Camrose Jamboree System)
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The Modern Expert: Mitch Lupichuk (Hospitality Certified & Owner of Capitol Music Club)
