Bonnie Powell wanted to give her longtime restaurant a refresh.
Powell owned a Sunrise franchise Caribbean Restaurant in Newmarket for eight years, one of the largest Caribbean chains in North America with 24 locations. But despite the backing, the restaurateur decided to go out on her own this summer.
“It was just time to move on,” she said. “I’m very particular … I’m grateful to them for it, it was just time for change.”
Powell held a ribbon-cutting for her newly independent business Dec. 7, with town dignitaries on hand to recognize the occasion. The restaurant has been renamed the Tropical Breeze Caribbean Kitchen and has operated independently for approximately three months.
The restaurant originally came about from Powell’s importing business. Growing up in the restaurant sector and spending 20 years in Jamaica herself, she became a supplier for Sunrise. That led to her getting an opportunity to open a franchise restaurant in Newmarket.
Cooking Caribbean cuisine was something that she said she wanted to get back to at the time.
“I’ve dealt with the islands all my life. I’ve been cooking it for years,” she said. “I honestly think something like this is in your blood, so I missed it.”
The business gained a loyal following according to Powell. She spoke about her efforts to ensure her food is authentic.
“You’re not getting North-Americanized jerk chicken. You’re getting jerk chicken,” she said. “
But she eventually decided she wanted to have her own restaurant without Sunrise overhead.
She “went for her dream,” employee Linds Basciano said.
The transition has not been an issue so far, she said, with her customer base continuing to come. The space has become wholly her team’s, with tropical music and plants filling the space.
“Most of them are from Jamaica that I’ve brought back with me over the years,” she said of the plants. “It adds island ambience.”
Even after going on for years, Powell encourages her customers to provide feedback. She said she is confident in her food being just like her former home in Jamaica and is ready to provide good service.
“The atmosphere is fun,” she said. “Warm and welcoming.”