Small businesses need our support
By Craig Allan, Staff Writer
“May you live in interesting times.” This is an old quote not of excitement but of dread, as it spells times of trouble that certainly describe the world we are living in today. With the coronavirus ravaging the world, the people of who experience a large hit from these “interesting times” are the small and independent business communities.
With social gatherings shut down, many businesses are being shuttered since they are deemed “non-essential,” and others are forced to scale back their production immensely. Many small and independent businesses are at risk of being wiped off the map by this invisible menace. One of such is Burger Heaven, and I talked with manager Chris Geib about how his establishment is coping in the grips of this virus, what makes his burgers the best, and what everyone should order to get through this pandemic.
According to Geib, business was going well before the pandemic hit, but now that restaurants have been told to close their dining areas for the foreseeable future, business has fallen by a third. Burger Heaven can now only offer take-out and delivery service. Geib said they are taking things “day by day” and embracing the new normal that is the out-of-restaurant experience.
There are so many burger options out there though, so when asked why a Burger Heaven burger is better than McDonald’s and A&W fare, Geib highlighted that unlike other places, Burger Heaven cooks their burgers on a flattop grill. This brings out more of the flavour of the burger than other places. That, along with their own unique recipes, makes Burger Heaven “the quiet secret gem of New Westminster.”
Burger Heaven is not just a site for scrumptious burgers though. They
have a good sense of political humour. This past fall during the Canadian
election, Burger Heaven ran a poll in which
visitors could vote with their mouths as to who is the best political leader by
picking from one of six delectable choices (and a seventh undecided, or as staff
have called it, “(B)-UN
Decided”). Choices included the Andrew Scheer burger with its “conservative
slice of tangy Regina blue cheese,” onion, and special sauce—or the
Justin Trudeau with cheddar, sauce, lettuce, “a liberal slab of bacon,” and a slice
of tomato. The winner of the best political burger poll was Jagmeet Singh, who
Geib said actually showed up with local member of Parliament, Peter Julian, to try
his strong “o(u)nions,” tomato, and Scarborough orange cheddar burger served on
a multigrain bun.
For
this pandemic, Geib knows that people may be feeling down, but he believes that
he has the perfect combo to lift anyone’s spirits. Geib recommends a number four Teriyaki Mozzarella Bacon
& Mushroom Burger served with wedges or a tossed salad, and a milkshake
because you “gotta have a milkshake.” These may be uncertain times with
COVID-19 in play, but Burger Heaven is looking to stare down the restaurant
industry’s greatest adversary by helping to keep the beating heart of New
Westminster’s culinary scene going—even if the experience is away from the cozy
confines of the 10th Street location.
