Jerry’s Food Emporium founder sad to see restaurants close

It began 23 years ago when Jerry Kristian and his wife wanted to bring a new dining experience to Saskatoon. They opened Jerry’s Food Emporium on Grosvenor Ave. and in 2012 Jerry’s expanded with a second location on 51st Street.

He said they poured their heart and soul into it and they’re both very proud and happy with the relationships they built with their customers over the years.

“You see people grow up with you and you grow up with them, and then next thing is they’re bringing the next generation in,” said Kristian.

He said they were very sorry to hear about both locations closing.

Kristian sold the business to the management team five years ago.

Kristian said in the early days they tried to bring something a bit different to customers.

“To use it as a creative outlet, to bring in new things. Gelato and the artisan movement,” said Kristian. “Sometimes we were ahead of our time, but we enjoyed it.”

Kristian said the restaurant business can be tough when the economy is down and dining habits change.

“The power and the desire of people for the big chains has certainly increased and it’s made it more and more difficult,” said Kristian.

Both Jerry’s locations had visits from health inspectors in the past, including both locations being visited this year, according to the province’s Inspection InSite page.

Over the years the two locations were found to be in violation at times for different health code violations including not warming food properly and pests being found on the premises.