Have you met Angela?

Angela and her sister, Marian, run our newly opened Sunset Grill in the Humber Bay Shores neighbourhood of Etobicoke.

One thing is made abundantly clear when I begin my conversation with Angela: she has a deep admiration for her mom.

“Mothers should be celebrated every day of the year, not just one day,” she says, referencing the upcoming Mother’s Day holiday. “Mothers give their whole lives to their children, they deserve some sort of gratitude every day,” says Angela.

It’s not an empty platitude.

Angela and Marian bought their mother, Litza, a condo in the complex where the restaurant is located. “We wanted her to be close to us,” she says. “She can retire here, she has everything available right here, she doesn’t have to drive; it’s great.”

During our conversation, coincidentally at the same moment Angela is telling me how her mom usually comes down to the restaurant every day for lunch, Litza walks in. She greets us with a warm smile and sits down at her favourite table, close to the front counter, where Angela is normally cashing out guests.

Angela has to do a little convincing to get her mom to pose for a photo, but she eventually gets on board and we have fun with it. It’s evident she’s extremely proud of her daughter.

Family has always been important to Angela. She has two kids at home, Jonathan, 13, and Lia, 12. Jonathan loves playing basketball and video games, while Lia is involved with competitive dance five days a week. “We try to keep the kids as active as possible,” she says. “Dance keeps her mind healthy, her body healthy,” Angela explains.

They’re not yet interested in the restaurant, although Angela hopes that will change in the future.

Angela’s journey with Sunset Grill began when her step-father got her a job as a server at the original Sunset Grill in the Beaches area of Toronto. “It didn’t really last,” she laughs. “I didn’t have any experience, and I couldn’t handle it. I knew I needed to get more experience.” So, she did.

Since the age of 18, Angela has been working as a server in restaurants and bars, so she’s familiar with the nuances of the service industry. She had a short stint in real estate and even went to college for Early Childhood Education before deciding it wasn’t for her.

Fast-forward to 2014, Angela and her husband, Mike, along with Mike’s cousin Andy and Andy’s wife Irene, opened the Stockyards Sunset Grill. Now she couldn’t imagine working anywhere else.

“I love how fast-paced it is. I like the hours,” she says. “Being home for dinner with the family, really makes this a great family business.”

She’s looking forward to this year’s family vacation to Turks and Caicos in August, although Europe, particularly Greece, has always been a destination of choice for Angela.

During the summer, they’ll typically rent a cottage up North with their extended family. One day she hopes to travel to Bora Bora, as well as New Zealand with the family, as Mike’s brother lives out there.

Angela knows the importance of taking time for yourself once in a while. That’s why twice a year she and Mike venture up to the Blue Mountain Scandinave Spa for a day or two to unwind. While they’re there, they usually make it a point to visit Bruce, the Franchise Owner at our Blue Mountain Sunset Grill.

The next time you stop by for breakfast or lunch at our Lake Shore & Park Lawn, Etobicoke Sunset Grill, be sure to say hi to Angela!

STORE INFORMATION

Lake Shore Blvd. W. & Park Lawn Rd.

Monday to Friday 7 AM to 3 PM
Saturday & Sunday 7 AM to 3:30 PM