Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Loyal customers, friends, family and town dignitaries gathered at Spud’s Restaurant on Wednesday to mark the end of an era in Napanee’s restaurant scene.
After 17 years of grilling up breakfasts and lunches, Brant ‘Spud’ Wilson is calling it a career.
“It’s bittersweet for sure,” said Wilson. “I’m going to miss the people, I’m going to miss my staff.”
Located at 140 Industrial Blvd. in Napanee, the locally owned and operated Spud’s become a staple in the community, thriving in one of the most challenging industries.
“Somebody told me the first year I was in business that if you made it in the restaurant business for eight years, you had it made,” said Wilson. “Then you could go as long as you want but you had to get to that eight year mark. Once I got there I was pretty comfortable.”
Spud Wilson (far right) was joined by staff to celebrate his retirement after 17 years. Submitted photo.
Members of Greater Napanee council were on hand to mark the occasion, with councillor John McCormack presenting Wilson with a plaque honouring his success.
“For 17 years he’s been an anchoring point for the community,” said deputy mayor Max Kaiser. “People would come here everyday for breakfast. (Kaiser’s wife) Jessica’s grandmother was a diehard, there was a booth here with her name on it and there’s a number of chairs with people’s name on her. Spud and his staff have been so welcoming to the community, birthday parties, retirement parties, campaign parties. It was just the perfect example of the epitome of a small community gathering spot, watering hole, whatever you want to call it. Spud, as a leader, he certainly set the tone and his staff working for him were very proud of what they’ve had the last 17 years. We’re sad to see him go.”
While the community bids a happy retirement to Spud himself, the restaurant will remain under new management, with former owners of Bath’s J&P’s Family Restaurant taking over, set to re-open Sept. 7. They’ll even keep the familiar moniker, rebranding as Spud’s Family Restaurant.
Though Spud made for the perfect nickname for someone who made their living serving up home fries and hash browns, it’s actually a name he carried long before he got into the business.
“I’ve been Spud since I was three years old,” he said. “My mother was from Ireland and her brother came (to Canada) after my mother did. They said my head looked like a peeled potato cause I had snow white hair and there’s spuds in Ireland of course, so that was that. It stuck.”