Restaurants -- time to reopen

ReOpen Saskatchewan Phase 3 began on Monday, June 8, 2020, but one Air Ronge-based business is refusing its right to allow sit-down service as outlined in the new provincial rules and regulations. 

"We'd rather be safe than sorry" said owner Jamie Charles "If people are patient maybe we can give it a few more weeks just to see what happens with the virus... maybe then we can open up".

Cravings is the only Indigenous owned and operated eatery in the village. Its innovative business model demonstrates how to do more with less. 

Owner Jamie Charles says Cravings staff are used to the pick-up style business model, as Cravings had been strictly pick-up at different points in the past. 

"We'd prefer to stick to doing things the same with pick up and EMT, for now" says Charles, referencing the fact that Cravings never truly closed, recognizing their importance as Air Ronge's only working kitchen and the first access point for truckers headed further north along the central Highway 2. 

He says that his love for cooking came late in life, after a previous career in the IT-Tech and Management fields, both of which he holds as assets to running his own business. 

"I learned to cook while at an exploration camp in Alaska, six-weeks-in, one-week out. .. After I lost my job, I knew I had to try something...", he explains.

Charles is a Lac La Ronge Indian Band Member, Woodland Cree Chef who uses traditional ingredients and preparations in his comfort food --  from blueberries (in the bannock-based desert), to local wild-rice infused burgers 'the Wild One', Bannock-Burgers, and even a Trump Burger--although that is a decidedly imported name. 

He now maintains a staff of 10 people at Cravings, and is community minded. During the pandemic Cravings began creating 'Budget Specials', healthy meals that could be had for a cost of $10 CAD, which Charles says he makes 50-70 orders of per day and that usually sell out by 1-2 pm. 

Cravings also has done several online give-aways, including most recently for a barbeque, box of steaks, and propane tank. Charles says it's important for people to spend time with their family and to prepare their own foods themselves, as well. 

In recognition of graduates within the La Ronge-Air Ronge-LLRIB tri-communities, Jamie is also giving free meals for all Gr. 12 graduates (one-time use), and 50% off of specials for graduates of the local Northland's (technical) College.