Gretzky hoping to score with EIA wine and whisky restaurant
Wayne Gretzky has been tied to Edmonton ever since he was a teen. Even though his Oilers playing days are long gone, his fondness for Edmonton remains.
So, when the opportunity came to open his first wine and whisky restaurant, Edmonton was the preferred location.
No. 99 Gretzky's Wine and Whisky opened at the Edmonton International Airport in September, but on Tuesday hosted the owner himself along with wife Janet and other family members.
Gretzky owns a restaurant in downtown Toronto stacked with memorabilia from his playing days.
His newest venture however is different. The restaurant is slightly more elegant, lighter on the hockey connection with an emphasis on the food and drink menu.
The menu features standards such as pulled chicken tacos to chicken noodle soup, but according to Gretzky, it's the perogies and Polish sausage that people will want to try, items that his grandmother used to make.
"It's a family recipe from my dad's mother, Mary," he said.
"I don't know how to make them, but I know how to eat them," he said chuckling.
Despite living in Los Angeles, and having played in New York, Gretzky said he chose Edmonton because of the deep connection he has with the city.
His bronze statue stood outside Rexall Place for years and is expected to be unveiled outside the new Rogers Place downtown on Thursday and he has a freeway named after him.
Gretzky felt opening his latest venture in Edmonton was a natural choice.
"Edmonton is where I grew up and played, and had a lot of fun and success, and it's a great sports city," he said.
"We're thrilled that this is the first one of hopefully many."
Gretzky's partners are hoping for that too.
HMSHost specializes in opening businesses like retail stores and restaurants in airports around the world.
For Tom Ruth, the president and CEO of the Edmonton International Airport, having a global brand like Gretzky's is a big deal.
"Having this iconic brand here with Wayne Gretzky, it really gives us an additional sense of place here at the airport, which is fabulous," said Ruth, who hopes the restaurant will attract other businesses to the airport.
"I don't think Wayne has ever forgotten where he got his start and the wonderful feeling and camaraderie there is between people in this region and him, so the fact that he purposefully started here is wonderful for all of us."
Gretzky's drink and food products will also be available at select other businesses at the airport as well.
