The Deerhead Café in Greenview Industrial is always a joyous place to be every Friday morning, with a group of singers meeting weekly to enjoy a breakfast and the community that’s formed around the diner. Despite the cheerful atmosphere, the community staple’s current financial situation is anything but. Still reeling from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the diner is at risk of closing. “My siblings and I and our family have been really trying to continue the struggling business with our own paycheques (and) with our own savings. And unfortunately, we’ve kind of exhausted all of that,” said Kelly Kim, the daughter of the owners. As a last-ditch effort, Kim started a GoFundMe, hoping not just for community donations but to raise awareness about the current financial situation. She says the business faces immediate and critical financial hurdles, including outstanding property taxes, missed utility payments and accumulated debts. “Any money that we get—probably a good portion of our paycheques—have been going right into the business just to keep the lights on, the utilities going, back rent hopefully being paid off. They also have incredible expenses through the property taxes right now,” Kim said. Customer Support For some longtime customers, like Tom Matthews, the thought of the diner closing was quite sad. He says he’s lost count of how many years he’s been going but believes it to be 30 to 40. “Every birthday, I come here with my daughters for breakfast. … And it’s just great; I don’t know how the cook remembers—he always makes me happy birthday pancakes. We don’t even know each other’s names or anything, but that’s just the kind of people that are here,” Matthews said. The Deerhead Café has been open since the 1950s, and the community it’s built in the decades it’s been serving customers is one of the biggest reasons customers come back, on top of tasty food at an affordable price. “I always come for breakfast. It’s always a great breakfast for $15, and the lady gives you a big smile and hello when you come in the door. I just like the whole atmosphere of the place,” Matthews said. “It does provide us a space for community to come together. There’s some individuals that met last week and now they’re best friends,” Kim added. For other customers, like Rob Drummond, he returned to the Deerfoot Café after around a 20-year absence because he heard of the financial situation. “I’d rather support a small business than a corporation, and I’ve been going to a corporate-type restaurant, so it’s good to keep the money with the small business, Drummond said. That mindset has been driving a lot of recent business, with several first-time customers saying once they heard the news, they wanted to support a neighbour. “You’re supporting your neighbours. These are people who live in your community, and it’s important to step up when they need help,” said Greenview Industrial marketing and outreach co-ordinator Matt Wallace. “It’s just an iconic landmark here in Greenview, and we really appreciate it being here because it just brings so much character and awareness to how great this community is.” Financial Support The GoFundMe has a lofty goal of $100,000 and, as of Oct. 2, had raised around $6,500. While Kim is incredibly grateful for all the donations and support, she hopes people simply come to the restaurant as customers to show their support. “My parents are very, very hesitant to even start doing anything of that sort. They hate handouts, and they are the type of people who are wanting to give back to the community and not take,” Kim said. “They were very hesitant to begin with the GoFundMe. … But now that we see the community come together, it’s quite incredible to see.” The early returns have been promising, with customers showing up to enjoy a meal in the old-school diner, with some adding they plan on coming back after a positive experience. “We really appreciate the community that has come together,” Kim said. “I honestly thought we were going to have to do this by ourselves.”
