The Dam Pub- In the Restaurant with Stephanie Price

Meet Stephanie Price, Owner of the Dam Pub

We had the pleasure of meeting with Stephanie Price, lovely owner and operator of the Dam Pub in Thornbury. This restaurant located near the downtown core of Thornbury, has been a local favourite since the day it was opened. The following headlines in the blog below, outline the questions we asked Stephanie in order to learn about her amazing journey in the restaurant business and as a part of this wonderful community. We are thrilled to have her useful insights for starting entrepreneurs in this area.

Business Description

“A popular family owned Scottish Gastro pub being a staple for great company and food in the Thornbury community for over 12 years. The Dam Pub also specializes in offering a unique range of whiskeys, with over 800 currently in stock.”

What made you decide to open this business?

“My passion for food, people and the ultimate dining experience lead me to pursue my ultimate vision and open up a unique Gastro Pub in the Blue Mountains community.”

What was it like when you first started?

“An exciting and stressful adventure growing with the community and watching our restaurant become successful. This business opportunity was a vision in her my mind for many years, and it was amazing to watch my dreams become a reality in the best community possible.”

What would your customers say they love most about your business?

“The welcoming staff members that treat everyone that comes into the restaurant as family and the delicious food that caters to all types of food tastes and preferences.”

What’s the most memorable experience you’ve had working with a customer?

 “It is difficult to narrow it down to one special experience as there has been many, but overall the most satisfying aspect of my work is building great relationships with the customers and watching them grow in all sorts of different ways.”

Do you have any exciting plans for the future that you want customers to know about?

“I am thrilled to announce that after being on the floor for 12 years as a server I will now be a floater, which enables me to be more interactive with all of the guests as well as assist in any other ways I am needed. Another exciting piece of news is the interview that I landed with Luxury Globe that resulted in me being hired as one of the writers for the site because of a previous connection I made in Toronto.”

What is something most people don’t know about the business?

“All of the food that is made in the restaurant is made from scratch and also can be made to order to suit a customer’s preferences. With that being said the authentic factor and customization leads to longer wait times in house but also an above and beyond dining experience and satisfaction level.”

Who are some of your business idols and role models? And why?

“Martine Nouet from France is one of my biggest role models because of her ability to critique all types of food as well as a high level of knowledge with whiskeys. I am thrilled that Martine has passed on all her valuable skills to the restaurant through training me while enabling us to use all of this knowledge to excel in my profession and differentiate our restaurant effectively from others in the market.”

What do you like most about being an entrepreneur?

“I love making my own decisions and schedule, and having the ability to make changes accordingly when they are needed.”

Do you have any advice that you want to share with other entrepreneurs?

“Don’t give up despite failures that might arise along the way, and follow your heart and dreams because you will ultimately regret not giving them a fair shot.”

What do you love most about the neighbourhood?

“The amazing community and all of the people that contribute to make it special. If one was to think of an ideal community situation with everyone supporting each other and a high level of happiness and quality of life, Thornbury should be at the top of the list, as it exemplifies all the good aspects any community should have.”

Where are your favourite places to go in the neighbourhood?

“All of the clothing shops and restaurants as they all have something unique and special to offer.”

What are your favourite things to do in the neighbourhood?

“Horseback riding, skiing, hiking, visiting the beaver river, and enjoying the views at the harbour.”

Why do you think it’s important for people to shop local?

“Feeds our local economy and helps keep people employed and the cycle moving consistently. It also helps for growth in the community which is critical to the success of any small community.”