Photo courtesy Ethel & Mary's.
An uptown Saint John restaurant wants to give back to the area for the support it’s received in its first year of business.
Ethel & Mary’s will host the first annual Princess Street Picnic on Saturday, October 31.
Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the block of Princess Street between Charlotte and Germain will be closed to vehicles in order for pedestrians to enjoy a bite to eat seated at bistro-style tables in the open air.
The diner-style restaurant that specializes in sandwiches and baked goods wanted to find a way to celebrate and give back to its neighbours.
“We wanted to say ‘thank you’ to the neighbourhood for welcoming us so much since February, and have a pretty low-key but fun day where people can eat and drink, and have some fall specials,” said Abigail Smith, the restaurant’s general manager.
Smith wanted to keep this weekend’s special treats a surprise for patrons but said the restaurant’s Chef-Owner Matthew Elliott and Pastry Chef Sidney Foy have prepared ‘Halloween-y baked goods, maybe even some candied apples,’ among other ‘classic New Brunswick autumn’ options.
The restaurant’s staff hopes that Saint Johners will also use the opportunity to patronize other businesses on the block, including Catapult Coffee & Studio across the street, and Uptown Shamrock’s Barbershop next door.
After opening to the public in February just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic. Ethel & Mary’s was among the many businesses vulnerable to the economic downturn. But Smith says the small shop space allowed them to convert quickly to take-out only and weather the storm.
For Smith, Saturday’s Princess Street Picnic is all about showing love to the area that has helped the restaurant survive during a time of significant closures in the food and service industry.
“We love our community and we love our neighbourhood, and we’ve been extremely welcomed in the uptown area.”
Visitors are encouraged to participate in a Halloween costume contest through the Ethel & Mary’s Instagram page, with the winner earning a picnic basket for two.
