In the midst of a global pandemic that has dealt the restaurant industry a deadly blow, far more people are thinking about closing restaurants than opening them.

But, in what he described as B次元官网网址渁n all-in moveB次元官网网址�, Cole Byers is taking a chance and opening The Rack Westcoast Bistro in Langford.

Located at the corner of Millstream Road and Treanor Avenue, the casual dining restaurant isnB次元官网网址檛 officially open yet but Byers said theyB次元官网网址檙e happily providing takeout and serving anyone who happens to wander in.

B次元官网网址淢y focus is to make sure weB次元官网网址檝e worked out all the kinks before opening,B次元官网网址� Byers said.

He added theyB次元官网网址檙e hoping this slow and steady approach, combined with thorough market research and a focus on the community, will lead to a successful business despite difficult circumstances.

Byers has also had the advantage of seeing first hand how a restaurant needs to adapt and run under COVID-19 restrictions. He is a co-owner of McRaeB次元官网网址檚 Restaurant in Saanich.

So, when Byers and his business partner and wife, Jasmine Grant, started designing The Rack Bistro, they already had a good idea of how they should lay out the restaurant and set up operations.

Even with 14 years of experience in the industry though, Byers knows this decision is risky. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an all-chips-in move,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 know if I donB次元官网网址檛 make it work, I ate it for my family.B次元官网网址�

The couple has five children, and Byers said they want The Rack Bistro to be a true B次元官网网址渕om and pop shopB次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� a place where all kinds of community members can go and feel comfortable.

Ranked as the fastest growing community in B.C. in 2019, Langford is an ideal place to launch a new business, Byers said. The only thing he and Grant have found the city is missing is more local businesses.

The couple hopes to fill that void. Byers said he has made it a point to talk to every single person who has walked through their door so far.

B次元官网网址淐ome in, experience, test it. If it doesnB次元官网网址檛 work for you, give us feedback. WeB次元官网网址檙e not here to harm, weB次元官网网址檙e here to provide,B次元官网网址� he said.

By practising this humility and openness to feedback, the couple said they believe they can create a space where people B次元官网网址渇eel safe going out.B次元官网网址�

Byers said theyB次元官网网址檙e hoping to officially launch The Rack Bistro in November. Until then, they are still more than happy to welcome in anyone who walks through their door.

Do you have a story tip? Email: jane.skrypnek@blackpress.ca.

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