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BERWICK, N.S. —

Consider it the reimagining of a popular Berwick roadside restaurant.

After more than 11 years in business, Jonny’s Cookhouse and Ice Cream Shop is undergoing a major renovation and expansion project. Owner Jonny King said they’ve essentially outgrown their space, so they built a new, larger structure over top of the existing restaurant.

The Coldbrook resident had his customers and staff in mind when making the decision to expand. The restaurant is always busy and could get very crammed at peak times.

King wants to provide more space and reduce the time customers wait for eat-in and take-out orders while continuing to ensure that orders are prepared correctly. He also hopes that the expansion will lead to hiring more staff.

He said the kitchen will double in size and the restaurant and take-out areas would be separated to make things flow more smoothly. The seating area will be larger, giving customers more breathing room, and counter seating will be added to give the restaurant a classic, diner feel.

“We’re trying to give it a new life and give it a new feel, for the staff and the customers, so the experience is better and the day-to-day working environment is better for them all,” King said.

Another hood vent has been installed and new fryers added in the kitchen. Other new equipment is being brought in to eventually add new menu items, appealing to a wider customer base.

For example, in addition to having three types of French fries, they want to include more home-style side dishes and homemade desserts. They’re proud to feature their own brand of locally roasted coffee and they plan to incorporate express lunch menu items such as soups and sandwiches.

King said they would be doing this in their own, unique way - offering high quality, local food while keeping the price point in check. They’ll start with their burgers, ice cream and other existing core items when they reopen and slowly expand the menu, taking “baby steps.”

Jonny’s Cookhouse and Ice Cream Shop employee Nikki Latta takes a bite out of a juicy burger prepared in the Berwick-based restaurant’s kitchen in this file photo. THOMAS ERIC PHOTOGRAPHY

“We have to get a feel for the new kitchen. It’s just like a whole new space, it’s a new home,” King said. “We’re already working on new items for the upcoming summer. Examples are gluten-free buns and in-house roasted smoked meat sandwiches.”

Jonny’s closed for the season on Dec. 16 and, with the help of the kitchen staff, the initial tear down for the renovation and expansion project began the next day. King said they’ve been working for two months straight and hope to reopen by the end of February.

With the building now being properly winterized, the project could potentially allow them to extend their season. The building and washrooms will be fully wheelchair accessible.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

King said, with the exception of the plastic forks and knives, all their take-out packaging is compostable. He said you lose food quality when take-out orders are packaged in Styrofoam.

They’re proud to have Plank Industries of Cambridge, a not-for-profit business service centre operated under the Community Options program of the Kings Regional Rehabilitation Centre, making their take-out packages and stamping the bags. Staff from Plank Industries also come in to clean twice a week.

Kirk.starratt@kingscountynews.ca

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