Beloved Quesnel restaurant Craig's Table will be shutting down at the end of March, owners Craig and Rebecca Sherstan announced in a Facebook post.
"It's a combination of many factors," Craig told The Observer. Economic pressures are the biggest factor with the cost of food, rent and utilities going up as well as the pressure of running the restaurant. "It's a lot of work running this place and a lot of stress."
The restaurant is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rebecca said it's common for Craig to work 12-hour days and she also works full time at the restaurant.
One thing the couple highlighted did not play into the decision to close was the neighbouring Grace Inn, which is a supportive housing facility.
"We knew coming into it very quickly that that was being used as shelter space by B.C. Housing and we've been on board with the changes, on board with B.C. Housing buying it, knowing that it'll improve peoples' lives," Craig said. "I'd say a majority of our sales in the ice cream room were from people who were staying at the Grace, so they would come in, some of them daily."
Craig is on the board of the Quesnel Shelter and Support Society and said there has never been serious problems for the restaurant caused by residents of the Grace Inn or unhoused people in general.
"Everybody deserves to have a place to live and food on their table," Craig said.
The Sherstans started talking about if they'd be leaving the restaurant in summer after a conversation with the building's landlord.
"For the most part we've always just kept going because we don't have enough in the bank to stop," Craig said. "So closing wasn't really an option in our heads because of that, because we're going to close and not have any more money coming in and there's no money to pay the bills."
At this point, the Sherstans said it's like a leap of faith and they had to make the best decision they could with what they know. Craig described himself has having mixed emotions about the closure.
"I think it's the right decision for us, I feel a little guilty for all my staff," Craig said. "I don't know if guilt is the right term for that but it was hard when we told staff last week. There were some tears, some of them were mine."
They also feel bad for all of the people who can't eat gluten in Quesnel because nearly all of Craig's Table's menu can be gluten free.
Craig said he hopes it's positive for them and he hopes the staff find new, exciting opportunities. As for what they'll do, Craig will continue running the catering business for events, he'll also finish off the season at the Curling Club.
He's also planning to start a food truck, he's hoping he can get it up and running in six months. His plan is to have gluten-free food options.
"I'm getting all kinds of 'well you gotta have this', 'well where am I going to get this?'"
Rebecca is still figuring out what she's planning to do after the restaurant closes.
When asked about his favourite memory, Craig said the only thing that came to mind isn't necessarily a favourite memory, but one that sticks out in his mind nonetheless. It was after they bought Savalas restaurant on Reid Street, which would later become the first location of Craig's Table.
"Things weren't great and we started to build it and build it," he explained.
In April around 2009 they had a busy night and things were hopping.
"I stopped in the kitchen and I said to staff, 'Do you hear that? That's the sound of success.' We were busy, our food was going out fast, everybody was happy and that night, the place burned to the ground."
While it didn't fully burn to the ground, it did have to close undergo significant repairs. Craig said his lesson learned was to never say things like that because he doesn't want to tempt fate.
Throughout the years, Craig and Rebecca have supported plenty of community charities and organizations through the restaurant and catering business. The comments on the announcement post were flooded with people saddened by closure of the restaurant and thanking Craig, Rebecca and the staff at the restaurant for the amazing service over the years.
March 31 is planned to be the last day of full operations, but they said the menu might be limited depending on what food is left.
