Stork Club 1958- 1968: During Mr. Escandar’s years of logging in the Kendal area of the Stann Creek district, Mr. Bedran personally selected hardwoods and pine lumber to build his second club, in the exact same location on Hudson St., which was again called the “ Stork Club”. This two story building designed and built by Mr. Bedran, operated not only a Club and dance hall but a community center / boys club/ ice- cream parlor / and even classrooms for Sacred Heart College. It truly was the social hub for activities and entertainment for the people of San Ignacio, Santa Elena, Benque and even distinguished gentlemen and women from Belize City. The Stork Club in those days hosted many dances, weddings, school plays and a variety of functions. Mr. Escandar even had his own distillery in Cool Shade and made his own rum for the club and other bars throughout Belize. Ask anyone if they remember the famous Tiger Nail and Cool-Shade rum. Stork Club at that time was home of the renowned Atlanticos Band which he helped to manage and was in attendance, entertaining at most dances. Mr. Joe Moreno, one of the singers in Atlanticos, continues today to sing and perform along with his sons and daughter in today’s “Stork Club”.

During the dreaded Hurricane Hattie in 1961, the Stork Club, served, as a much needed shelter for the town of San Ignacio. Mr. Escandar and his family provided food everyday, which was taken by dory from his home, to the many families who took up shelter there.

The Stork Club flourished for 10 years, until the very devastating “Fire” of 1968, which destroyed not only that club, but also, many homes and businesses in San Ignacio. Tragedy hit again only 4 years later when the largest Fire in San Ignacio in 1972 destroyed over 28 homes. Among those were Mr. Escandar’s family residence, his Shell Gas Station, and many of his relative’s homes and businesses. No one or nothing however, could destroy Escandar Bedran’s dream.

During the years following 1972, Mr. Escandar Bedran continued to work in many areas in Cayo and took up permanent residence at his ranch called Cool Shade on the Mountain Pine Ridge Road. There he built and operated a sawmill, raised cattle and pigs, grew sugar cane and citrus, distilled rum and molasses, loved riding his horses and most of all entertaining his friends and workers.

In 1973, Escandar Bedran started dreaming about building again and three years later saw the opening of his Hotel. The San Ignacio Hotel, named after the town where he was born. The first phase of construction was the “Dance Hall”. Today it is known as the, “Bedran Hall”, designed and constructed almost identical to his beloved “Stork Club”. To highlight his words, as written in the Belize Investment magazine of Sept. 1976, at the opening ceremonies, “San Ignacio Hotel … above all…a Place for the people of San Ignacio….a spot where local residents could come to relax and have fun at a reasonable price.”

The past 28 years the Bedran Hall served the same purposes for which he had built Stork Club 2. It has been the venue of many weddings, visits by dignitaries, international and national conferences, band concerts, dances, graduations, a host of religious and community celebrations and fundraisers.

In Feb. of 1994, San Ignacio Hotel was the venue chosen for hosting Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This was a very historical day for Belize and the town of San Ignacio, not to mention the honor for Mr. Escandar Bedran and his family.

1996 was a special year for the Bedran Family as they came together from around the world and Belize for a Bedran Family Reunion. That year also, Mr. Escandar retired and took to enjoying his golden years along with his family, and especially the joy of his children and grandchildren who shared many special times with him.