Local favourite First Nations eatery Takeout in the Boonies is no more, says its owner, citing the rising cost of food as a major factor.
Located an hour out of Pemberton down the In-Shuck-ch/Lillooet Lake Road, the business was the brainchild of Christina Smith, who has had a passion for great-tasting food from a young age.
Smith was selling freshly made pizzas and bannock from her home, providing a takeout option to the locals of St’at’imc territory and workers travelling through the area.
The business recently made it to the semi-finals of the Pow Wow Pitch for Indigenous entrepreneurs, and picked up an honourable mention after making a significant impression on the judges.
Smith said her business was born of a love of a food.
“When I was younger, I used to make pizza in school,” she said, adding she completed a small business and entrepreneur development course in 2012.
“That’s when I started my business. Before that I made pizzas for fundraisers involving my children and adopted children,” she said.
Takeout in the Boonies had its grand opening in 2014, but has seen its fair share of obstacles since then.
Lately, much like other small business owners around B.C., Smith has felt the brunt of the cost-of-living crisis.
“Things built up. I’m trying to start my business back up, but catch up on all my bills as well,” she said. “There were a lot of issues.”
The cost of supplies has just kept rising since Smith first started cooking up a storm.
“Food prices are so crazy,” she said. “Last year, I had to up my prices. Then the grocery costs went up again. Cheese is especially expensive. I grate my own cheese, because it costs more to buy cheese that has already been grated. I can’t even put ham and pineapple on my basic menu anymore because of how expensive it is.”
Smith’s experience in the Pow Wow Pitch competition has only spurred her on more. Her dream is to be able to run a food truck in the area. However, right now it’s hard to see the business getting back in the black.
“I want to re-open,” said Smith. “Right now, we are not profitable. I was thinking about reaching out for donations just to restock. I’m struggling to make ends meet.”
Smith has always enjoyed taking in students and teaching them how to make her traditional recipes, and working from home meant she had more time to spend with her own kids when they returned from school in the evenings.
“I wanted to a create a job for stay-at-home moms,” she said. “The school bus leaves at 7 a.m., and they don’t get back until 4:30 p.m. Our kids are gone, but we still have stuff to do at home. It’s hard to find work in such a remote area, but it’s my home.”
Smith told Pique she often offers food on credit to customers, as it’s important that everyone helps each other out.
“We will provide them with lunch and just tell them to get us back in the next few days,” she said. “I’ve a bit of a fan-base because they know my pizza is good.”
Smith was determined to have the first drive-thru in the area, a saving grace for loggers and truckers passing through. In recent years, she had to take orders over social media. “Only certain houses have phones,” said Smith. “I’m really hoping to have one. Right now, I don’t have a cellular plan. I just try to find Wi-Fi wherever I can.”
