A community staple is saying its final farewells as Gourmet Cup prepares to close shop this fall.

While her decision to retire comes with mixed emotions, after 25 years, owner Leslie Bromley said SA国际影视传媒渋tSA国际影视传媒檚 time.SA国际影视传媒�

Bromley bought the business, in the lower level of the YK Centre, in 1996 after 10 years working as a Gourmet Cup employee for the previous owners.

With her two children in school and becoming more independent, Bromley was SA国际影视传媒渏ust looking for something to do,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Looking back at the last quarter century, Bromley calls her former self naive in her early days as owner.

SA国际影视传媒淚 had no idea of the business side,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

In two-and-a-half decades, Bromley has gotten to know community members as Gourmet Cup became the backdrop for YellowknifersSA国际影视传媒� life milestones.

SA国际影视传媒淪ome customers have been around for 25 years and ISA国际影视传媒檝e had staff that ISA国际影视传媒檝e watched, quite honestly, learn to walk,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Bromley recalls one former customer who, as a child, loved the shopSA国际影视传媒檚 chili but wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 fond of the beans so he would pick them out. Now he runs his own farm.

SA国际影视传媒楤est bossSA国际影视传媒�

Frankie Parker has worked with Bromley for the last 12 years, and as Gourmet CupSA国际影视传媒檚 chef for the last eight.

SA国际影视传媒淟eslie is the best boss ISA国际影视传媒檝e ever had,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

SA国际影视传媒淪heSA国际影视传媒檚 always giving things to people,SA国际影视传媒� Parker said of Bromley. SA国际影视传媒淪treet folk come in here every day and sheSA国际影视传媒檚 always making sure people get something to eat.SA国际影视传媒�

Since the shop doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 serve day-old products, Parker describes Bromley storing any unsold food in the milk fridge to ensure no one leaves hungry, even if they canSA国际影视传媒檛 pay. At the end of the week, anything leftover goes to the shelter.

Parker said sheSA国际影视传媒檚 pleased for Bromley and will look forward to starting her own catering company after she serves her final meal with Gourmet Cup. As a red-seal certified chef, the Royal family and the Tragically Hip are among those who have tasted ParkerSA国际影视传媒檚 cooking, in addition to the Yellowknifers she feeds daily.

Bromley confirmed the rumours of the shopSA国际影视传媒檚 closure on June 17 on Facebook. As of that afternoon she said she hadnSA国际影视传媒檛 yet had the chance to check the comments but acknowledged it would be a busy night.

Though she didnSA国际影视传媒檛 specify which day, Gourmet Cup will close its doors at the end of September.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 proud ISA国际影视传媒檝e managed to keep it together this long,SA国际影视传媒� she said of the past quarter century.

Asked if she planned to host a final hurrah in the cafeSA国际影视传媒檚 honour, Bromley said sheSA国际影视传媒檚 SA国际影视传媒渢he type that would just quietly close up.SA国际影视传媒�

While sheSA国际影视传媒檚 looking forward to her retirement, Bromley said sheSA国际影视传媒檚 sad to say goodbye to her customers, some of whom have continued to visit Gourmet Cup regularly over 25 years.

SA国际影视传媒淭o all my customers over the years, loyals, drop-ins and new people that we see everyday,SA国际影视传媒� Bromley said, SA国际影视传媒渁 huge thank you.SA国际影视传媒�