A city thrives off its downtown core. It is the beat of the city and the cultural cog.
Do we have a true downtown?
Sure we have shops and offices, but the area is lacking heart. Our downtown is missing a sense of pride and a few restaurateurs are stepping up to the plate this year to change that.
This little wave has begun and this wonderful, glorious, magnificent wave is gaining momentum. Prince George citizens are being to move away from the chain restaurants and support local.
The thing I dislike about chains is they don't care about supporting local suppliers or their community. Go down to the farmers market and you will not see the chain restaurant's chef picking out fresh produce. They will source the cheapest products from the U.S. and Mexico.
So back to these restaurateurs, these caped crusaders of downtown Prince George.
First there was the crew of Twisted Cork opening their Irish pub the Black Clover. A downtown core needs a watering hole with a little character and good music.
Next the boys of Nancy O's (Garrett Fedorkiw & Eoin Foley) decided to do something unique beside their current location on Third Avenue. Betulla Burning will be a traditional wood fired oven pizzeria and plans to open in October.
One of the major crazes in Vancouver and Victoria the last 10 years has been craft breweries and tap houses, and we're finally getting a piece. I love my beer so I was ecstatic when it was announced that CrossRoads Brewing will bottling suds on George Street.
Then to sweeten the pot Trench Brewing is scheduled to open and produce beer, gin and vodka.
To sample some fine brews you'll only have to mosey over to the old Hummus Brothers location of Fourth Avenue.
Details have been top secret, but word is that a small plates style restaurant with 20 beer on tap is sent to open.
So this will be an exciting year for our city, as these restaurants pump life and passion back into our downtown. We are fortunate to live in a place as beautiful as Prince George, and it's time to have a cultural core to be proud of.
