Joey's is closing down in Vernon (Photo courtesy of Joey's Restaurant)

By Pete McIntyre

Staffing, cost issues

End of line for Vernon restaurant

Aug 21, 2023 | 1:00 PM

A lack of staff and increasing costs are two of the main reasons why a Vernon restaurant is closing its doors.

Joey’s in the Vernon Square Mall has been owned by Stephan and Colleen Bednarick the last 13 years, but will shut its doors after the business day on Friday, Aug. 25.

Colleen Bednarick said it’s become less enjoyable to run the business the last three years.

“It’s due to the lack of staff that you can’t get since Covid hit, the loss of sales and increase in the cost of goods. It just got hard,” she told Vernon Matters.

Message to their customers from Vernon Joey’s owners Stephan and Colleen Bednarick (Image credit: Joey’s/Facebook)

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Bednarick said another reason to close is they had an opportunity to get out of their lease without a penalty.

“We took the opportunity that was presented to us because I don’t see things changing. We don’t have enough staff, and my husband has been working long, hard hours, some days by himself, sometimes 12-14 hour days and we’re in our 60’s. It’s very hard to do that when you are in your 60s,” Bednarick remarked.

Bednarick said they didn’t see anything changing in the labour situation and we’re expecting a “tough fall” season for the business.

As for selling it, that was not an option they considered.

“No one is buying business now. The interest rates are too high, the cost of goods are too high. It’s an uncertain market.”

Bednarick said she and her husband are not retiring.

“We’re going on to other things. We’re not quite sure what that is, but we’re going to take some down time that we haven’t had in a long time and go from there.”

The business owner said another Vernon fish and chips restaurant, Harry’s, was on the market for two years and ended up not selling and closing down.

“There are so many businesses that are struggling just to stay open. I look at so many restaurants that are closed Sundays or Mondays, or they don’t have lunch anymore. There is just not a market for selling anymore.”

Bednarick said other Joey’s franchises have also struggled to try and sell over the last few years.

“We decided for our own health — and sanity — we needed to pursue other things.”

Bednarick said they have loved their jobs and owning the restaurant, noting her husband has been in the food industry for 44 years, ranging from assistant manager to owner.

“We thank our customers for everything. We love them and we’re going to miss them.”