Since its grand opening in September 2022, Yew Street Food Hall has brought together unique, family-owned restaurants that add to the collection of fresh and local food on Kamloops’ North Shore, helping revitalize the Tranquille Market corridor and build community.
With nine distinct food and beverage vendors to choose from, including authentic tacos, made-to-order pizzas and even Indian street food, this vibrant food hall offers a great assortment of culinary experiences.
Recently, Yew Street Food Hall welcomed Richard Marken as its new Operating Partner to help continue fostering a vibrant dining environment that attracts locals and visitors alike.
“My partners and I decided to take on this new opportunity with Yew Street Food Hall because we are genuinely excited to carry the torch from the previous operators, whom we greatly admire,” said Marken. “Their dedication and vision have laid a solid foundation, and we are eager to build upon their success and continue the legacy they have established.”
Marken brings over 30 years of experience with an extensive background in hospitality design and operations. Throughout his career, he has designed, set up, and operated over 100 hospitality companies across three continents, equipping him with the necessary tools to bring fresh perspectives to Yew Street Food Hall.
“I've had the privilege of working with major brands such as Earls Restaurants Ltd., Cactus Club Cafe, and MGM in Las Vegas, as well as owning and managing successful ventures like Bright Eye Brewing and the Noble Pig in Kamloops and Earls Restaurant in Prince George,” explained Marken. “This new venture with Yew Street Food Hall is a significant opportunity for me to bring my expertise to a dynamic, multi-restaurant environment. It allows me to innovate, enhance and expand the dining experience for our guests while contributing to the local community.”
As the new Operating Partner, his role involves overseeing and providing support to the General Manager Kate Lidguard, regarding the day-to-day operations, enhancing the guest experience, implementing innovative concepts, focusing on streamlining processes and boosting efficiency to ensure the food hall’s continued success.
Joshua Knaak, partner with ARPA Investments (ARPA), is excited to work alongside Marken on this project.
“Richard’s experience and commitment to excellence and community building aligns perfectly with Yew Street Food Hall’s vision. We are excited to collaborate with him and continue helping to revitalize the North Shore,” said Knaak. “I’m also very thankful to our previous Operating Partners Jeff and Steve Mitton, for getting this innovative project started. Their hard work and dedication are so appreciated by our team at ARPA.”
Having only ever operated restaurants and breweries, Yew Street Food Hall represents an exciting new venture for Marken.
“I’m particularly excited about the fact that this is a relatively new concept to Kamloops. The diverse culinary offerings provide a fantastic opportunity for creativity and innovation. I’m eager to mentor and work with a talented team of new restaurants that are looking to launch their brands and possibly move into their own dedicated spaces in the future,” added Marken. “I am deeply dedicated to the North Shore and would love to see its rebirth as the centre for interesting food and drinks in Kamloops.”
As Yew Street Food Hall continues to grow and evolve, the commitment to community, innovation, and culinary excellence remains at its core. With great leadership and a dedicated team of passionate vendors, the future looks bright for this beloved local food hub.
If you haven't already had the pleasure of dining here yet, Yew Street Food Hall invites you to come and experience the vibrant flavours and warm community spirit that make it a cornerstone of Kamloops’ North Shore.
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