The Cascade sat down with Hanna Budny, owner of The Offy, to discuss the opening of the new bistro coming to downtown Chilliwack. The name comes from British slang for off sales/off license business where people used to go to purchase alcohol. According to the company’s social media, The Offy will offer European influenced food and drink options and a merch line for customers. Budny also gave insight for the deeper inspiration behind the name.
“It is actually also short for ‘Oh for F*ck Yeah.’ We are trying to be playful and cheeky. It’s a place where people can gather and have a good time. We wanted to create a name that was fun, cheeky and approachable with a story tied to it. If someone says, ‘let’s go out for dinner,’ hopefully we can answer with ‘Offy.’”
The Cascade asked why Budny wanted to open up The Offy in the first place, and she revealed she has been in the restaurant business since she was fifteen and opening her own place has been a long dream of hers.
“It’s all that I know. I’m passing traditions on from family members and keeping stories alive.”
When discussing past projects, Budny opens up on how she has helped open over thirty restaurants during her career, but she makes one thing very clear: this time around she is doing it for no one but herself.
Followers of The Offy’s social media will see the posts dedicated to family members, with one mentioning how Budny’s father learned how to frame so they could help any way they could in making the bistro come together. District 1881 (where The Offy is located) is a blooming part of the Chilliwack community located in the downtown area. She explained that they decided to open the bistro in Chilliwack because it is a growing community and they knew their business would be supported there. We asked Budny what it was like to enter the scene.
“I have noticed a huge sense of community. Everyone has been extremely supportive and so are family and friends that have come together to help make this happen”.
The Cascade asked Budny if they could put into words why it was so important to support local businesses.
“It literally takes blood, sweat and tears to open a small business. It’s the most challenging thing I’ve ever done, but the most rewarding to see all of the support and help. Supporting local businesses creates community and fosters a culture of helping each other out!”
At the time of publishing, The Offy is yet to announce an opening date, but they are hoping to open their doors as soon as possible.
Eva Davey is a UFV student majoring in English Literature and minoring in Media Communications. She is a fan of poetry, oat milk lattes, and the final girl trope. Currently, her worst enemy is the Good Reads app.
