Suzy’s restaurant, an Island centre for fine cuisine, coffee and conversation for the past nine years, is up for sale.

Owners Suzy and Keith Stansfield think Suzy’s needs a “fresh look and a fresh approach and someone to give it a boost”. Asked why they decided to sell, Suzy said she and Keith had been “boosting” for nine years and “I’m tired”.

The restaurant, located in the Village centre, has gone through a number of incarnations over the years. According to long-time resident Gordon McDonald, Gabriolan Tony Nunes built the original “D’Pizza”, which was renamed “Windeckers”, when it was bought by Kim and Danny Windecker.

Explaining the success of the restaurant, Stansfield said: “One of the biggest assets we have here is the staff”. Noting that many have “stayed with me and been loyal” for many years. She said: it was “due to all of us, really”.

Stansfield added: “We have been open every day with no surprises, just being predictable … because people are like deer and like to follow the same paths to graze by”. But at the same time, she said, “We have reinvented ourselves many times to keep people’s interest. (With our) theme nights, and our specials, new products we’ve switched up a lot just to listen to what customers wanted”.

“You also have to build your business”, Stansfield added, “Every single thing that is in that kitchen is basically brand new or replaced … just so everything works for the kitchen and works for my guests … I never minded spending money to create action, which is what I love”.

Stansfield said: “I’m not edgy anymore. Suzy’s needs a boost and an infusion – a new edge. It needs to be freshened up. It needs a little fresh energy to sharpen it up and keep it current”.

Noting that there are two new restaurants opening down the block at Madrona Mall, Stansfield said she knew that Suzy’s would hold its own, but it would be good to have someone with new blood to “give them a run for their money”. She said: “I don’t want to disturb anyone who wants to do what I do … but it’s just going to overwhelm the population with the number of choices. … I am big (but) it’s the small guys who are going to have a problem. I have a lot of seats and a lot of room and a lot of staff, but the little guys are going to suffer”.

Acknowledging that it takes “a certain stamina” to run a restaurant, Stansfield said: “I love my relationship with my landlord and my community and I am honoured to have had such a good run, and to restore the community’s faith in me”.

As for the future Stansfield said: “I am over 60, and Keith is too close to 70, and it will be good to have some time just to live on this beautiful island and learn to hang out. After all that’s why we came here”.