JOEY Chinook is reopening on Thursday with a new look

Chinook Centre’s much-loved restaurant JOEY is scheduled to reopen with a brand new look.

The entire eatery has undergone renovations over the last few months and on Thursday, you’ll be able to see them for yourself.

Think refined, timeless aesthetics that echo industrial tones. That’s what the new JOEY at Chinook will look like, right in time to celebrate the 25th anniversary of JOEY Restaurant Group.

A post shared by joeyrestaurants (@joeyrestaurants) on May 11, 2017 at 1:49pm PDT

JOEY has a solid history in Calgary. That’s because CEO of JOEY Restaurants, Jeff Fuller, opened up the original JOEY Tomato’s Italian Kitchen in Calgary back in 1992. Initially, the eatery was known for its pizza, pasta, and tomatoes hanging off the ceiling.

JOEY has evolved from Italian dining to the globally-inspired concept that it is known for today. So much has changed since the early days and now, JOEY has 26 locations across Canada in Winnipeg, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa, and Western US areas like Seattle and LA. The company employs more than 4,000 employees, 52% of those are women and there’s an average management tenure of 13 years, which is pretty impressive.

Not only this, but JOEY was named one of ‘Canada’s Best Employers’ by Forbes Magazine, ‘Canada’s Best Workplace for Women’, and ‘Top 100 Workplace for Young People’ for the past two years. JOEY also received ‘Best Workplace’ awards in Canada eight years in a row.

JOEY prioritizes relevancy over growth of its restaurants by redeveloping existing locations that no longer feel relevant to their guests, and JOEY Chinook is no exception. Before you even step foot in JOEY Chinook, you’ll notice the soaring glass windows that have been expanded on the front side of the building, allowing natural light to flow through the interior.

The existing interior wall between the dining room and lounge has been removed to create an open concept focused around a central bar. With heavy timber beams suspended above the bar, they provide a warm juxtaposition to the elegant bronze bar panels and white quartzite bar top below.

JOEY designer, Jenna McBride, used natural materials throughout the space by creating two custom walls flanking either side of the restaurant – commissioned exclusively for this location.

It’s easy to see the high level of craftsmanship in the dining room where the wall is white-washed with custom oak planks installed in an intricate pattern. A blackened steel clad fireplace is centred in the room amid all-new seating creating a cozy atmosphere. And elegant, handmade chandeliers illuminate and complete the space, fabricated by Calgary’s own Christiaan & Planck.

Designer McBride plays with lighting throughout the space with the back wall of the lounge adding dramatic textures to the room, and featuring a beautifully reclaimed 3D brick façade.

In the lounge, you’ll also find a selection of seating like a cool walnut live edge custom social table. Additionally, a custom wine wall designed in collaboration with JOEY Sommelier Jason Yamasaki, allows you to see the handpicked wine selection featured at JOEY.

A collection of quirky vintage artwork is featured throughout the space, and brings it to life. From Canadian artist Miriam Aroeste’s abstract tryptic, to a refurbished one-of-a-kind neon fish sourced from Ocean City New Jersey, the artwork provides a level of beauty and a pop of colour to the room.

But one element of the space you’ll notice is a commissioned piece by renowned collage artist Jay Kelly. Kelly’s work is a labour of love as he hand tears and glues a variety of vintage magazines, novels and art history books, to create his masterpieces. You’ll be in awe.

JOEY Chinook reopening 2017

When: May 18, 3 pm
Where: Chinook Centre – 6455 Macleod Trail SW
Price: Free

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