Change is in the air at Juniper Kitchen, with new owners Jeff and Marissa Byrge taking over the heralded restaurant. To celebrate this change, the kitchen will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 29.
Jeff Byrge joined the KOAL newsroom to discuss the transition from employee to owner and what customers can expect moving forward.
Both of the Byrges were longtime members of the Juniper team, serving as managers for the establishment for several years. We asked what the transition has been like from employee to owner,” It’s been a lot different from what I pictured,” explained Byrge,” I was thinking, you know, we got this, we got this. We take it over, get to the business aspect of it, and there is a lot more than what I pictured, but we’ll get through it.”
Byrge continued, discussing some of the challenges they have faced during the ownership transition,” Keeping up on just the mental side of things. Keeping up on payroll, the bills, dealing with all these outside companies. That’s been the challenging part. Other than that everything’s good, the staff, the food.”
He also spoke on some of his favorite parts of the change,” it is honestly just being my own boss and having this group of people. We have only nine employees, but we have such a good culture built. It’s all family. I love the people I work with.”
As with any major change in a business, there will also come smaller deviations from the norm. At Juniper Kitchen, these smaller changes will benefit the customer,” we’re going to be adding daily and weekly specials, and we’re also going to constantly keep two soups. But for the majority of it, the menu is going to stay the same Juniper pizza.”
Byrge then looked to the future, discussing what he is most excited to see come to the restaurant,” Growth. I cannot wait to see where this place goes. I’m here to build a good culture and see where this could go. I’m all about growth and expanding this.”
In closing, Byrge stated,” If you guys are looking for a good, friendly environment and some good food, come into Juniper kitchen and come enjoy some of the new food.”
Juniper Kitchen will celebrate its grand reopening on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at noon with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Located at 150 Hospital Drive in Price, Juniper is available for dine in and takeout Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information or to view the menu, visit juniperkitchenutah.com or visit the restaurant’s Facebook page here.