By Lyonel Doherty, Times-Chronicle
After 12 years, Rudy and Gaby are saying a tearful goodbye to their loyal customers at Cock & Bull Cappuccino Bar in Oliver.
The Slovakian couple have sold the business to a young entrepreneur eager to follow in their footsteps.
Rudy Horka said he was flabbergasted at reaching 4,500 people online when he announced that March 13 was their last day at the restaurant.
“I was shocked; I didn’t expect that.”
Last Saturday, Rudy and Gaby were busy helping the new owner, Norah Prodan, cook and serve customers the favourites — Santa Fe bacon and eggs, home-made soup, and of course, the schnitzel.
“I feel happiness and sad, mixed feelings, very emotional,” said Rudy, who will miss seeing his friends and clientele.
But he and Gaby are happy to retire with plans to see Canada from coast to coast, particularly the Yukon.
And he definitely won’t miss getting up early anymore.
“When we started, we were working seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. I can’t believe how we did it,” Rudy said, giving most of his praise to Gaby whose work ethic kept them going all those years.
He admitted the past two years has been difficult during the pandemic, especially finding staff to help.
“We were running the show, just me and Gaby, and a girl after school.”
But now he says he can see the “light in the tunnel” since COVID-19 restrictions are being lifted.
Rudy said he has confidence in the new owner, saying she is a “nice lady.”
His advice to new entrepreneurs: work hard and be honest, and “do not make fake food.”
Prodan said she is thrilled to take over the business, but admitted it was initially terrifying.
“I think now that masks are off, it seems like COVID is hopefully coming to an end,” she said, noting she is cautiously optimistic.
Prodan is originally from Calgary and has been living in Oliver for the past six months. She previously worked and managed cafes.
“I had a dream of buying property here and saw this (cafe) for sale by chance, so it seemed like a good opportunity.”
Prodan said Rudy and Gaby gave her a lot of advice and made her dream possible.
She noted that watching Rudy in the kitchen was amazing.
“I just watched him make fresh schnitzel . . . it’s incredible, Rudy is like, back there pounding away.”
Prodan plans to modernize the place a little bit while keeping it warm and welcoming.
“I want it to be an individual place. I don’t want it to resemble any place in Vancouver. I want it to be special to this town.”
She noted she wants to showcase local fruit and vegetables by working with growers in Oliver and Osoyoos.
