The closure of SassyB次元官网网址檚 Restaurant in Central Saanich this Saturday also closes the door on the longest-running employer in the region.
Cory Porter, who opened the restaurant as part of the SmittyB次元官网网址檚 chain, said he does not know how many people have worked at the restaurant over the years, but that the figure is likely to be in the thousands. B次元官网网址淟ots of people got their first job there,B次元官网网址� said Jen Porter, CoryB次元官网网址檚 daughter.
Cory said many of them later become customers themselves and he himself remains in touch with many of them.
Other employees have worked for years, over time becoming members of the PortersB次元官网网址� extended family. They include Rich Nelson (30 years) and Barry McGarvy (32 years).
Chrissy Olsen, who has worked at the restaurant for 25 years since taking her first job at SassyB次元官网网址檚, is currently going through mixed emotions as she prepares for SaturdayB次元官网网址檚 closure. B次元官网网址淔or me, it hasnB次元官网网址檛 actually really hit me,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淏ut itB次元官网网址檚 coming up soon and it is probably going to hit me on the day.B次元官网网址�
Olsen said the most rewarding part of her job has been working with her family and getting to know the community including many of the regulars. B次元官网网址淵ou get to know the community,B次元官网网址� she said. Over the years, she has also come to know her longtime colleagues like McGarvy.
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B次元官网网址漌e have become so close with everybody who works there,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淗e is part of SassyB次元官网网址檚. I cannot imagine not seeing him every day.B次元官网网址�
Olsen also thinks of the Porters as very close family members. Olsen said Cory Porter was very supportive of her when she was grieving for her parents, as well as in her First NationsB次元官网网址� identity. Olsen is now repaying this support over the years by organizing a First Nations ceremony to mark the closure.
B次元官网网址淔irst Nations communities love SassyB次元官网网址檚 and they feel welcome,B次元官网网址� said Olsen.
Like so many close to the family, the sudden death in 2011 of PorterB次元官网网址檚 granddaughter Sapphire, or Sassy as many knew her, shocked Olsen. B次元官网网址淪he was really close to Cory and his heart was broken,B次元官网网址� said Olsen. B次元官网网址淚t probably still is.B次元官网网址�
Olsen said she still hopes a last-minute buyer will come forward to buy the restaurant off Porter, who is closing to look after his wife diagnosed with AlzheimerB次元官网网址檚.
Naturally, Olsen plans to stay in touch with the Porters and her soon-to-be-former colleagues. As for her own plans, Olsen is unsure.
B次元官网网址淩ight now, I cannot imagine working anywhere else,B次元官网网址� she said.
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