INUVIK
A familiar face took over a popular location over the holidays.

Debbie Bernhardt, left, and Joey Watters are Inukshook Catering, the company now managing Cafe Gallery. - Sarah Ladik/NNSL photo

Inukshook Catering has upped stakes and moved downtown to take over Cafe Gallery, opening the doors shortly after the new year began.

Chef Joey Watters said the change has been welcome.

"We had outgrown the college," he said of the company's previous location at Aurora College.

"We were seeking other venues and this just happened to drop in our laps."

The main thing Watters hopes to be able to provide is another option for diners in Inuvik. He said that while he may not have the biggest menu, he hopes to expand it as the business settles into its new location.

"I didn't do any pre-made stuff at the college," he said.

"Here, it's a different set up. Now it's a mix of what I did that worked and what previous owners have done here that works."

Each day was busier than the last during the first week after the holidays, something Watters said was a good sign. While the cafe is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. now, he said he is looking at extending the hours, depending on whether there are enough customers to warrant it.

"People keep asking if I'm going to do a fixed menu," he said. "Maybe. We'll see how things go. There are some things I'd like to do, like real pasta."

Watters said he has always served comfort food wherever he has worked in Inuvik, but that just because it's comfort food doesn't mean it can't be well executed.

"There's enough people here that you can do different things," he said, acknowledging that no matter what, he can't please everyone.

"Everybody loves comfort food, you're never going to get away from that, but that doesn't mean you can't do it well."

In a rare moment of quiet, employee Tanya Moore said she is happy with the new management and that the cafe has been getting busier every day.

"One person came in today and said how nice it was to see new faces," said Moore.

While still settling in, Watters said he is eager to start trying new things and gauging his customers' responses.

"This is something that was desperately needed here," he said.

"Another option for people. Another place to eat and be comfortable."