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Longtime owners of Vernon's DJ’s Perogie Kitchen are retiring after more than 40 years

The end of an era

It's the end of an era for one Vernon eatery.

After more than four decades, Duane and Jackie Popowich, owners of DJ’s Perogie Kitchen, are hanging up their aprons.

“We have loved making Ukrainian food and meeting many wonderful customers over the last 42 years," Jackie said.

"I worked at the Greyhound restaurant for three and a half years for Mary Sidorchuk who was a great boss. I feel very fortunate to have learned Ukrainian cuisine from her and Stefaune Cuipka who was a chef at that time."

The couple took over the busy Greyhound restaurant in 1980.

“Bus drivers always recommended people eat at the Vernon bus stop, we had lineups out the door.” Jackie remembers. “In 1994 it was time to move on and find a new location, that’s when DJ’s Perogie Kitchen was born.

“It always warmed my heart to hear customers comparing my food to their baba, mom or grandmas. Our food has even brought some customers to tears.”

Duane and Jackie are both thankful to all their customers for their support over the years.

“We have loved being in business so many years, serving generations of the same family. It was always neat watching customers' kids grow into adults and bring their own kids in for lunch,” Jackie said.

The restaurant is now up for sale. Listing realtor Anne Murphy with Sutton Group Lakefront Realty says: “This is such a great opportunity for anyone moving to the Okanagan or anyone who has dreamed of running their own restaurant to take over a fully turnkey and operational restaurant. Jackie is happy to train new owners to teach them the tricks of the trade and to pass down all the finely honed systems they have built over the years.”

DJ’s remains open as usual while listed for sale.



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