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By Troy Gillard and Josh Hall

'strong sense of community and pride'

Cilantro and Chive ‘jacked’ to open Red Deer location in 2021

Nov 1, 2020 | 10:00 AM

Nine years after opening the first Cilantro and Chive in Ponoka, which they relocated to Lacombe in 2015, the Kays are set to welcome patrons to a new location in Red Deer.

Rieley Kay, with partner Kim, says they are targeting as early as possible in 2021 to open the doors at 1927-50 Avenue, a stone’s throw from the QEII at Red Deer’s south end.

“If we were waiting for the right time, we’d be waiting forever,” he says. “Now is as good a time as any, with COVID restrictions in place, including 50 per cent capacity. Going into a larger venue plays well into what we’re doing.”

Kay admits while the numbers aren’t as good as in 2019, for obvious reasons, their way of thinking has been one of ‘let’s do things a little differently’ and ‘why not?’

The venue, which has seen several food establishments come and go, poses an opportunity for the Cilantro and Chive brand to offer a unique feel from what patrons have come to know and love at the Lacombe location, which by the way, isn’t going anywhere.

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“That’s our biggest challenge. It’s a much larger and very different space,” Kay says. “There will be some unique features compared to Lacombe, but with a big triple door cooler stocked full of craft beer, the rotating craft beer on our 22 taps, the walls with wood paneling, big glass windows, and a penny bar, there will be some very strong similarities. The menu will also offer some features and one-off items unique to Red Deer.”

Kay adds that any second thoughts they had about opening a second restaurant quickly fell by the wayside once the announcement was made on social media last week.

“Those were absolutely kiboshed by the support and outpouring from our suppliers, guests and the community,” he says. “It’s been heartwarming and overwhelming in that regard.”

Soon, the award-winning Cilantro and Chive will be hiring between 50-75 people for the new location.

This year, it was named Pub/Restaurant Most Supportive of Alberta Breweries at the Alberta Beer Awards for the third year in a row.

“There are a few communities we’ve always looked at for a second location, one with a really strong sense of community and pride, and a strong businesses community was also essential to us,” Kay adds.

“We’re pretty jacked at the opportunity to come to Red Deer.”