New owners take on popular downtown Vernon restaurant
A popular downtown Vernon restaurant recently changed hands and the new owners are already rolling up their sleeves.
Merry Goddard and Sarah Cripps officially closed the deal and got the keys to EATology, Jan. 23, a busy lunch and breakfast spot located in the old Greyhound bus station across from Cenotaph Park on 31 Street in Vernon.
“We are keen to get to work and build this business up a bit,” Goddard said. “We're adding some new things, specials, new drinks and baking. In the future we hope to do more catering and events.”
While running a business is new to the pair, the food industry isn't. The couple brings years of experience running cafes and working in restaurants, and Cripps is a pastry chef.
Goddard said they're feeling positive and excited to be taking on the new venture.
“I am running the front of the house,” Goddard said. “Sarah will be running the back. We used to run cafes together and she used to help me while managing one. We communicate well and we help each other, and come out well-rounded.”
EATology first opened in 2015 as a small café in the former Greyhound bus station by Kristina Klein and it's grown and expanded over the years. Klein decided to sell the restaurant to focus on family.
"EATology started as a passion project and grew into something more than we could have imagined,” Klein said. “We had an amazing time owning it but we're very excited to see what the future has for us. We are so thankful to be passing it down to two young, female entrepreneurs. I'm confident that it's in great hands.”
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Cripps and Goddard worked for the restaurant for over a year before taking ownership.
“Kristina hired everyone and built the place up to what it is now,” Goddard said. “After working with them for the past year and a bit, we are confident we can continue to carry the business forward.”
The restaurant offers a wide variety of popular menu items including chicken waffles, bennies, skillets, burgers and poutine. Most of the menu will stay the same, with some dishes getting a delicious new twist and baked goods being added.
“We are looking forward to having our community come in and friends in the area are stoked about it,” Goddard said. “We want to feed everyone and watch everyone have a good time in this space. There is a cosy, homey feeling here and the energy is really good. We have a really great team here right now who are passionate about what they do.”
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They're encouraged by the support they're receiving from the community.
They've been busy costing food and preparing the menu, hiring a couple of new staff members and getting into the swing of things.
Eatology is currently open from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Wednesday to Sunday at 3100 30 Street in Vernon.
Go here to learn more about EATology restaurant and what they have to offer.
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