ACHO DENE KOE/FORT LIARD - A new restaurant has opened its doors in Fort Liard.

A large crowd attended the grand opening of Johnny's Cafe on March 30 at the Liard Fuel Centre. Acho Camps and Catering opened the restaurant to fill a gap in services in the community, said Julie Capot-Blanc, the business' manager.

Residents and visitors to Fort Liard previously had limited dining options. Acho Base Camp serves meals but it is located on the edge of the community and local chip stands only operate seasonally, she said.

The possibility of opening a restaurant was first discussed three to four years ago. The decision to actually develop the cafe was made last spring.

The opening, however, which had been set for June 2010, was delayed because of the amount of maintenance needed on the fuel centre's building. A complete industrial kitchen also had to be installed, Capot-Blanc said.

Acho Camps and Catering is leasing the space in the building from Beaver Enterprises Ltd. Both companies are part of Acho Dene Koe First Nation's business arm.

Now that the cafe is finally open residents are enjoying having a place to go out for a meal, said Capot-Blanc.

"It's been very busy," she said.

Rush hour at the cafe is at noon when many students and some community members come to buy lunch, said Capot-Blanc.

The cafe is open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and is closed on Sunday.

The cafe's menu includes burgers and fries, pizza, and soup and sandwiches that are available daily at noon.

This week a dinner special was also introduced.

A different meal will be available every night and the selection will vary each week, said Capot-Blanc.

Capot-Blanc expects the summer to be the busiest time for the cafe as tourists visit the community.

The cafe's name pays tribute to the late Johnny Sassie of Fort Liard, who died last fall. He worked at the fuel centre for approximately 28 years.

His family gave their permission for his name to be used and his son Garrett Sassie cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony.

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