“Happy, sad.”
It was with mixed emotions Ivy and David Leung locked up the doors to the their Bus Depot Cafe Sunday at the Penticton Greyhound terminal, after serving what some say was the best breakfast in town for over two decades.
As their three children grew up around them, the Leung’s worked to make a living at the no frills (self serve-cash only) Ellis Street diner which officially closes Wednesday, Oct. 31.
Their final day of business on the weekend was the last chance to say goodbye to their regular customers, some who have been eating there for as long as they have run the business.
Monday and Tuesday morning they opened again, but this time it was to sell the various pieces of restaurant equipment and decor including the tables and chairs, cash register and even some of the colourful potted plastic flowers sitting on the floor in the corner of the now darkened room.
“We had 300 people come through here,” said David, who will soon be celebrating his 71st birthday. “Some give us $10, some give us $30, and say, ‘No, keep the change.’
“We’ve had a good time. Wonderful customers. We were here so long, we love the place, and then one day nothing left and you feel a little bit uncomfortable, but that’s life. You cannot do much, it’s closing.”
Looking at the online reviews of the cafe, the Leung’s generous proportions, low prices and just plain good food earned their little restaurant a 4.8 out of five rating.
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The menu costs on the nine lit-up soft drink signs above the kitchen order window, which have since been taken down leaving only a dark outline on the wall, reflected prices closer to the time the Leung’s started than in many restaurants today.
The all-day Farmer Special included three pieces of bacon, two sausages, two eggs, toast and hash browns for $8.95 and the ham and egg all day special (with toast and hash browns) was just $6.88.
“Business was okay, I’m not rich but OK,” said David with a laugh. “My family grew up, I paid for a little of this and a little of that, I’m happy.
He added during the past 20 years there have been many changes in the downtown area around the bus terminal, not all good.
“There is many more street people. They sleep overnight everywhere and make the business look bad,” he said.
“Everything else is OK though. It’s just time to enjoy myself now, for a least five or 10 years down the road.”
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Mark Brett | Reporter
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