The new Historic BC Café located in Old Hazelton reopened last month with a fresh look, new owners and a diverse menu, all of which are creating an exciting buzz around town and it is getting great reviews from many Hazelton area residents.
The new restaurant owners, Brad Wilson and Tera Brooks, decided to officially kick things off with a block party on Saturday. They closed the street off, had live music, lots of food and activities for both young and old. Many said it was an amazing party.
“It was quite the turnout at the party,” Wilson said. “We had face painting, lantern painting, food bank donations, great music and an amazing amount of support.”
Since the restaurant opened on Feb. 11, business has been beyond their expectations, Wilson said.
“It has been insanely busy and has been beyond our wildest dreams,” he said. “The support we are getting is super awesome.”
Wilson’s not sure the secret of their success but he and his partner have solid backgrounds that will help to make the Café grow.
Wilson is originally from Hazelton and left in ‘94 to go to college where he became a Certified Chef. Brooks has a degree in tourism and both have been working in Kelowna for major companies for the past decade before they decided to move back to the area.
“Right now we have a few plans but it’s not so much to grab tourists but more about building the community,” he explained. “Our immediate success, I think, is because we have a new look and feel and offer different flavours.”
In addition to creating a new menu, the duo is already showing their commitment to the community in big ways. For St. Patrick’s Day they sold shamrocks to raise money for the Dogs Deserve Better program and raised almost $200. Their block party and food donation box is also another way they are showing their passion for the Hazletons.
As for the future, Wilson said they are going to focus supporting the community which includes buying as much local as he can.