38 replies to this topic

[Nparker]

I love Cook-n-Pan and it's proximity to my workplace has meant I visit here semi-regularly. Wonderful staff and a great selection of products. It's also darn good for a quick and reasonably priced lunch. It's worth the effort to get here folks. Check it out!

[gstc84]

Thank you for this reminder! I went there semi-regularly when they were on Cook St but have completely forgotten about them since they moved. I’ll make a point to go there for lunch one day this week.

[Victoria Watcher]

CA$ 601

pledged of CA$ 15,000 goal

15

backers

 

29 days to go

 

https://www.kickstar...f=project_tweet

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 13 March 2019 - 03:16 PM.

[Nparker]

Fingers-crossed that more people choose to support Cook-n-Pan!

[LJ]

We tried to support them today. Drove down, parked, walked up to the door, two people at one table on patio, no one inside.

 

I asked for a table for two for lunch, the owner (presumably) says he can't do it, he already has a customer and he is all alone and it would be a long wait for us.

 

I don't know how that's a good business model.

 

On another note Mole on Millstream is becoming "The Buck" restaurant, opening soon. 

[Matt R.]

We tried to support them today. Drove down, parked, walked up to the door, two people at one table on patio, no one inside.

 

I asked for a table for two for lunch, the owner (presumably) says he can't do it, he already has a customer and he is all alone and it would be a long wait for us.

 

I don't know how that's a good business model.

 

On another note Mole on Millstream is becoming "The Buck" restaurant, opening soon. 

as mentioned before, the place in Langford is the same owner (one at least) as McCraes on Shelbourne. 
 

It’s tough times in restaurants right now, the labour shortage is the worst it’s ever been, with many places reducing hours and menus and service levels for a variety of reasons.  We’ve been forced to close two nights a week due to lack of bodies, and we’ve paired the menu way down as well as shaved an hour off closing time the other five days a week.  This summer we had plenty of times where we had empty seats and turned people away due to lack of ability to serve them. It’s got nothing to do with any “business model”, there just aren’t enough bodies. 

 

Matt. 

[Mike K.]

For all we know there were several take-out orders ahead of you, too.

The CERB needs to be radically altered as the current situation is unsustainable. I’m currently up island and everywhere you go the hours are reduced and places are under staffed leading to employee stress and in some cases a bit of disarray. I’m willing to line up here and there but I don’t have the time or patience to do it every time I want to dine on the road.

[Matt R.]

Many servers I know (especially  places like Salt Spring and Tofino)  are wanting to cut their hours, after a long stressful summer of dealing with asshole customers. The $25-50 an hour just isn’t worth the stress of dealing with people who refuse to stay seated, who complain about leaving contact info, who complain about their server wearing a mask, who complain about the experience of a “half empty dining room”, etc.  
 

Cooks are another story too, worst it’s ever been. We are probably going to have to buy another staff house and import more just to keep the lights on. 

 

Takeout is so much bigger than ever before. In July we stopped answering the phone and went to online (or in person) takeout only, and there have been many nights in in September where takeout outsells the dining room 30-50%. We don’t do delivery or use any third party stuff either.  

 

My point is the industry has been turned on its head and what you see likely doesn’t tell the whole story. 
 

Cook n Pan frozen pierogis are awesome by the way. 
 

 Matt. 

Edited by Matt R., 20 September 2020 - 09:46 AM.

[Nparker]

...Cook n Pan frozen pierogies are awesome by the way...

As are a number of their other products.

[Victoria Watcher]

^ ^ 1st world problems. you might have to buy another house for your business to survive.

[Matt R.]

For all we know there were several take-out orders ahead of you, too.

The CERB needs to be radically altered as the current situation is unsustainable. I’m currently up island and everywhere you go the hours are reduced and places are under staffed leading to employee stress and in some cases a bit of disarray. I’m willing to line up here and there but I don’t have the time or patience to do it every time I want to dine on the road.

Cerb is done in a couple weeks but the replacement doesn’t look to be much better, depending on your POV!

Matt.

[Matt R.]

^ ^ 1st world problems. you might have to buy a

nother house for your business to survive.

It sounds better than it is. It’s a precarious place to be in. We just keep rolling the dice and getting in deeper.

I’d rather not invest another pile of money into the business, it’s not like we can go buy a house with cash. It’s just more debt, but there isn’t a lot of choice.

Matt.

Edited by Matt R., 20 September 2020 - 11:29 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

This is an opportunity to own a free standing building on a rapidly changing block in central Victoria. There is flexibility here; this can be leased, or bought by an owner user for today, with the investment potential of being part of a larger development plan on this block in the future. The building is located on Amelia Street, which is a quiet leafy street, directly accessible from busy Blanshard Street or Pandora Avenue. This building has a fully vented commercial kitchen, and is currently operated as Cook N Pan Deli, which is a deli café, and the offering includes all of the fixtures and equipment in place. This is a rare opportunity to operate a truly plug and play, move-in ready business in addition to purchasing the building. The interior has been so meticulously kept and is a such a cozy inviting space, it must be seen to be appreciated and features a sizeable raised patio which is a huge asset in Covid era. 

 

https://www.realtor....ia-central-park

 

$1,275,000

 

1527 Amelia Street

[Matt R.]

That really is a lovely space.

[Nparker]

That really is a lovely space.

I have been to Cook N Pan a few times at its current site (the name made more sense in their old location), but I still miss the Amelia Street Bistro.

[Matt R.]

I will also say the food at Cook n Pan is delish. Frozen perogies to go.

[Nparker]

I walked past here the other day and the deli has closed. Renovations are taking place and something new is coming. If I get a chance I'll pop down that way and take a photo.

[G-Man]

It is going to be some sort of healthy eating place.

[Redd42]

It is going to be some sort of healthy eating place.

 

And the deli wasn't???