Wayne Gretzky chose the city where he won four Stanley Cups to open his second restaurant, Gretzky’s Wine & Whisky.
The restaurant, which seats about 60 people, opened Friday afternoon at the Edmonton International Airport.
It features a full menu, Gretzky Estate Wines and his new line of Canadian whisky. There is also a kid’s menu.
“I think the difference here is just the passion that people have for the history and the name,” Heather Hamilton, an EIA spokesperson, said. “Gretzky really is synonymous with Edmonton. Many people around the world, that’s all they know about Edmonton, is (Gretzky’s) relationship with the city.”
The brand partnered with HMS Host to provide a first-ever airport location. The restaurant is located just inside the security gate.
“(It was) basically full in about 10 or 15 minutes,” Hamilton said. “People are really excited about it. If you live here, you realize that 30 years after he left the city, he’s still as iconic as ever.”
Hamilton adds there was quite a buzz around the restaurant on opening day, which of course she wasn’t surprised by.
“The feedback that we got was extremely popular,” Hamilton explains. “We didn’t have a specific opening time, you know how opening day goes. It’s kind of like taking possession of a new house, you never know exactly when it will be ready to go.”
Hamilton called the addition to the airport great for Edmonton and the EIA.
With files from Kyle Morris, 630 Ched
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