The Painted Turtle restaurant will be opening this month, but this year’s re-opening comes with a few changes.
The team has updated the interior, as well as installed upgrades to the patio, such as outdoor heaters. In addition, the restaurant will not be focusing on tour buses in future years, something the restaurant previously relied on.
“The last year that buses came (2019), we had 450 visits from buses,” said Jon Kreke, co-owner of the Painted Turtle. “There was very often not room for regular people (to eat), at especially lunch time.”
He said after the pandemic hit last year, and the tour buses were called off, they realized they could survive without them. They were supported by not only local residents, but by local tourists, those from British Columbia and Alberta.
The lack of tour buses made them realize just how many people were staying away or showing up and immediately leaving due to the chaos of the buses.
“We realized, “Hey, we can do without,’” said Kreke. “It’s a nicer pace (and) it’s easier on the staff.”
Jon and his wife Chris have owned and operated the restaurant since 1990, and it is still going strong. They thought about updating in the past, said Jon, but with the lack of ability to travel or to see their kids in Victoria, they went for it.
And with the help of the BC Recovery Grant, they were able to update their space and make it COVID-friendly.
In addition to the new interior look, Plexiglass has been installed between tables both in- and outside. New permanent heaters have been added to the patio, and soon a clear vinyl curtain will be hung, giving them the option to protect the deck and patrons from wind and other weather.
“We’re pretty excited about it,” said Kreke.
The restaurant will open its doors once again on April 23.
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