When TV shows like Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives grew in popularity, Ed Lovelock was among the many avid viewers. And the more he watched the show, the more he thought about opening his own restaurant.
When he was younger, Lovelock had spent time backpacking through the southern United States and documenting his travels in a diary. That included barbecue recipes he had picked up along the way.
Lovelock had grown up around restaurants, peeling potatoes and washing dishes in his grandmother’s restaurant in Brooklin, Ont. He met his wife Elaine Munroe when they both worked at Smitty’s Restaurant in Georgetown.
So around 2010, the couple made the leap into restaurant ownership, opening The BriSkit in Brampton, serving up gourmet sandwiches.
“It was always in my blood to do it,” Lovelock said.
They built a successful business and eventually added a food truck, giving even more people an opportunity to try their slow-cooked meats.
And while the food truck made frequent appearances in Halton Hills, there was always an appetite for more.
Lovelock had been on the lookout for a permanent Georgetown home for a few years and finally found one earlier this year, purchasing The Berwick at 99 Main St. S. Now after a couple of months of remodelling, BriSkit BBQ is open.
“We knew we had a good customer base, so we hoped it would be successful,” Lovelock said. “It’s been a lot busier than we thought it was going to be.”
His initial social media post about buying the downtown Georgetown location had more than 5,000 views in the first 45 minutes.
“The reaction has been unbelievable,” Munroe said. “Just hearing the positive comments has been really nice.”
Lovelock said they went from a mom-and-pop operation to a restaurant with a staff of a dozen people, many who have remained from The Berwick.
The couple decided against publicizing that they were open, just to give the new staff an opportunity to ease into their new surroundings. But word has spread quickly.
“I’ve really enjoyed meeting people,” Lovelock said. “That’s one of the things I really enjoy about doing this.”
Taking cues from his grandmother’s restaurant, Lovelock said “we’ve really tried to make it a family atmosphere.” One corner is decorated with photos of the family’s restauranting history.
Another is decorated with Coca Cola memorabilia.
They have also tried to use area suppliers, from a local woodworker who made their sign, to using an Elora-distilled vodka for their Dragon’s Cry Caesar, which comes with a candied bacon swizzle stick. That’s just one of the many cocktails on the menu that will be available in the restaurant or the lounge.
BriSkit is open from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. Reservations are currently being taken for Mother's Day, with plans for a special smoked salmon and smoked prime rib dinner.
For further details on BriSkit, visit its Facebook page or call 905-702-8744.
