P.E.I. brothers bring home cooking to Alberta

Two brothers from the Souris area are bringing a taste of P.E.I. to Alberta.

Evan and Nathan Whalen opened the Grand Banks Seafood Market & Bistro in Grande Prairie, Alta. a little over two weeks ago. Many of their customers are fellow Maritimers and so far, business has been good.

"You get a lot of comments like it kind of tastes like home, or it reminds them of something their grandmother used to make," Evan told CBC News: Compass.

Nathan has been living in Grand Prairie for about eight years, and Evan, who fishes on P.E.I. in the summer, has been going out every winter to work.

Something different

They noticed a lack of "creativity" in the Grande Prairie restaurant scene.

Being a trucker and a fisherman doesn't really lend itself to translating straight over to the hospitality industry so there is a lot to learn so it was pretty stressful along the way. Nathan Whalen

"If you're going out on a date, you're generally going to Boston Pizza or something like that," Nathan said.

About two years ago, they started thinking about opening their business. They said all the seafood they bring in is from Atlantic Canada, and mostly from P.E.I. including lobster, scallops and halibut caught by Evan, and snow crab from a friend in Souris, P.E.I.

They also sell other Island products such as cheese, honey and, of course, potatoes.

Even their chef Terry Nabuurs, who operates Terry's Berries Food Truck is from P.E.I.

'A lot to learn'

The brothers say they got a lot of guidance from Island restaurateurs, but starting their own business has had its up and downs.

"Being a trucker and a fisherman doesn't really lend itself to translating straight over to the hospitality industry so there is a lot to learn so it was pretty stressful along the way," Nathan said.

Evan said it's reassuring when you see happy customers coming back for more.

"Some people come in and eat here and say see ya tomorrow."

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