Edmonton’s food and beverage community was dealt a heavy blow this past weekend after Blue Plate Diner announced over social media that it will soon be closing its doors for good.
As a culinary institution for the last 18 years, Blue Plate Diner was serving fresh farm-to-table fare long before such terms became buzzwords. The restaurant was also home to a number of fun community gatherings and live musical performances over the years, so to say it will be missed by many would be an understatement.
Although the social media post didn’t cite the pandemic or the recent departure of Blue Plate Diner co-founder John Williams as direct causes for closing, it's hard to imagine either didn’t play some part in owner Rima Devitt's difficult decision.
“Sadly, a great story always has a beginning, a middle and an end - and I’m sad to announce that the Blue Plate Diner will soon be closing its doors for good very soon,” Devitt said over social media. "Please, please, please come by in the coming weeks to share food, memories and tears with our phenomenal staff who have been so supportive and amazing through a ridiculously trying three years."
Blue Plate Diner hopes to stay open until the end of August. Until then, its business hours are Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
