Lauren Kramer/Special to the Peninsula B次元官网网址 Review
Sidney is home to two businesses celebrating major milestones this year. MaryB次元官网网址檚 Bleue Moon Restaurant will celebrate its 80th year of continuous operation, while Cottons and Blues, a signature boutique for blue jeans and casual wear, will celebrate its 40th anniversary. The retail and hospitality industries are challenging businesses so these milestones carry significant resonance. The Peninsula B次元官网网址 Review asked the owner of each how they do it.
Nicola Politano, co-owner of MaryB次元官网网址檚 Bleue Moon Restaurant, still canB次元官网网址檛 figure out why the B次元官网网址淏leueB次元官网网址� in the restaurant name is spelt the way it is. The business began in 1939 when the Chapman family created a destination for customers seeking a slice of great, homemade pie and other sweet offerings. It also catered to air force personnel stationed across the street during the war. Today it continues to offer a fantastic menu with fair pricing and generous portions. This is what makes diners keep returning, Politano says.
The top three items on the menu are fish and chips, liver and onions, and the seafood chowder and seafood medley, an item that some diners drive from Victoria to enjoy. MaryB次元官网网址檚 has a tiny kitchen and Politano says sheB次元官网网址檚 continuously amazed how the cooks are able to prepare food so fast in such a small space.
B次元官网网址淥ur best-kept secret is our staff,B次元官网网址� she says without hesitation. B次元官网网址淭hree of our staff members have been with us for over 20 years, and more than six have been with us a decade. WeB次元官网网址檙e lucky because a good restaurant cannot survive without good staff B次元官网网址� and we have great staff.B次元官网网址�
| (Photo contributed) |
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Politano works nights and weekends, so much of her socializing happens on the job. B次元官网网址淥ur staff is like a family. WeB次元官网网址檝e watched each other grow up. So many of our customers are regulars that when we see them, itB次元官网网址檚 like catching up with old friends. And there are many friendships that have developed over the years between staff and customers,B次元官网网址� she reflects, B次元官网网址渆ven a couple of marriages.B次元官网网址�
One fact most regulars donB次元官网网址檛 know about MaryB次元官网网址檚 is that the band Old Black Rum had its genesis at the restaurant. B次元官网网址淲hen our live music night originated 15 years ago, a few of our Newfie customers decided to start bringing instruments in on Thursday nights for a jam session,B次元官网网址� she recalls. Look out for tunes by Old Black Rum the first Saturday of each month.
Politano grew up in the restaurant business as her parents, Ross and Val Clark, worked in the industry for three decades. ItB次元官网网址檚 a tough lifestyle with long hours, but she admits to loving it. B次元官网网址淭he customers motivate me,B次元官网网址� she admits. B次元官网网址淓ach shift I try to ensure that our customers are leaving happy because they are what keeps our doors open. Since my husband Mike Politano and I, along with our chef Adam Hill, bought into MaryB次元官网网址檚 over six years ago, we couldnB次元官网网址檛 imagine doing anything else. If we had an opportunity to do it all over, weB次元官网网址檇 definitely do it again.B次元官网网址�
You canB次元官网网址檛 keep a business open for a long period unless you love your work, and your customers love it, too.
ThatB次元官网网址檚 true of SidneyB次元官网网址檚 Cotton and Blues boutique, which began in 1979 under the leadership of Kathy Clarke. Its present owner, Anna Savage, was a business partner and employee for more than 10 years before purchasing it in November 2017 and she loves her job, she says.
B次元官网网址淲e specialize in jeans that fit,B次元官网网址� she explains of the secret to the boutiqueB次元官网网址檚 success. B次元官网网址淲e continually bring new brands into the store while always making sure our clothes are stylish and a great fit. And our focus is always the casual look that Sidney women know and love.B次元官网网址�
Savage says her fabulous, loyal customers keep her motivated, energized and engaged in her work. When sheB次元官网网址檚 not picking new items to stock her store youB次元官网网址檒l find Savage on horseback, walking her dogs or spending time with her husband.
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