It’s been a while since the Nook and Cranny restaurant in St. James closed its doors. It served as the second location for The Nook on Sherbrook with some added features such as a lounge.
The Nook and Cranny on St. James opened in 2011 but it couldn’t keep up with the competition and closed quietly last year. St. James is littered with some closed restaurant locations. Robin’s, Mandarin and Gasthaus Gutenberg have all shuttered and remain closed.
The Nook and Cranny itself took over for the long running Schmeckers which had two locations and was the master of late nights for many years. The Big Schmeck would take a good long time to eat even for the ravenous. As for The Cranny, it seemed to be busy but running a restaurant is a seven days a week, at least two meals operation. And if you have a lounge, it means longer hours. It is backbreaking.
A sign along Portage Avenue says that a Cork and Flame restaurant is coming soon. It has been up for a number of weeks now and contractor work vehicles have been outside all the time. The big trend lately for Winnipeg restaurants is a grill and it has seen some places in Charleswood transformed.
No word yet but will look to see the 350+ restaurant putting in the signage and opening soon.
This has been a guest editorial by John Dobbin.
To read more from John, visit his blog Observations, Reservations, Conversations
