Columbus, OH. Local merchants Bill and Iris Blunt have always loved Canada. From their first vacation to Niagara Falls for their 1966 honeymoon, they, like dozens of others, have wanted to bring a little bit of Canada back to the United States, but without the hassles of smuggling. So last August, after their specialty food store “Croutons ‘N’ More” filed for bankruptcy, the Blunts decided that they would combine their love for Canada with their business savvy and later this month will open the nation’s first Canadian restaurant, “North of the Border”.
The Blunts did little research, but feel confident that their new restaurant will be a success. “Everybody has to eat, and who doesn’t love Canada?” says Iris with a smile “And we’re different from all them Mexican (restaurants). Her husband agrees, adding “There’s more damn Mexican restaurants in this country than there are Mexicans, at least that’s the way it is in Ohio.”
Funding was difficult at first, and the Blunts ended up having to get less traditional loans. “No bank would touch us,” says Bill. “They thought (the idea for a Canadian restaurant) sucked.” After weeks of frustration and failed negotiations with several loan sharks, the Blunts found their financial saviors in several local minor-league hockey players, who missed the traditional meals and atmosphere of their homeland. With money in the bank, the Blunts found a building to lease, bought the necessary equipment, hired a staff, and “North of the Border” will open for business next week.
Customers can expect a truly Canadian experience. The interior décor boasts bare wooden walls, decorated with moose heads, photos of hockey players and Canadian Mounties, and a lot of framed beer posters. The “Pierre Trudeau Room”, in the back of the restaurant, will be a private dining area, available for parties and receptions. The room features historic photos of the great former Prime Minister who passed away in 2000. Food prices will be greatly inflated for patrons of the Trudeau Room, in honor of the politician running up the Canadian debt by more than 1,200 percent during his reign. “Canadians, or true fans of Mr. Trudeau, will understand (the higher prices) and will be more than willing to pay”, says Bill optimistically.
Servers will wear flannel shirts, twill pants, and hiking boots. Maple syrup will be at every table, and the menu will feature several varieties of Canadian bacon, as well as pancakes, sausages, and several moose dishes. The signature item will be the Bronzed Goose. Served on a bed of pine needles, the bird will be glazed in maple syrup and then roasted. Beer, of course, will be the libation of choice at “North of the Border”, with several varieties available on tap.
North of the Border will accept all major credit cards, and reservations will be taken only for parties of seven or more. Despite pressure from investors, Canadian currency will not be accepted.
While the Blunts hope for a long, successful venture with “North of the Border”, they unabashedly aim higher. “We want this area to really embrace the Canadian way of life”, says Iris. “Who knows, maybe someday this neighborhood will be known as ‘Little Canada’, with our restaurant right in the middle.” |
