A fish and chips restaurant in Steveston celebrated its 40th anniversary on Wednesday morning.
Pajo's Fish and Chips owner Patricia Branch was joined by Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie, city councillors, elected officials, former and current employees, as well as friends and family at a media celebration in Steveston on Wednesday, June 11.
While the celebration was not open to the public, Pajo's will be hosting a day-long event of live music and activities for the community on Saturday, June 14.
Pajo's was opened by Branch and co-founder Joan Wettlaufer in 1985 while Branch's husband, Larry, worked as a fisherman.
The idea for Pajo's unique floating restaurant concept came to Branch after she visited Victoria in 1984, where she was inspired by Barb's Fish and Chips to serve fresh fish at a waterside location.
Pajo's is named after the first two letters of the co-founders' names: Pat and Joan. (Wettlaufer left Pajo's in 1991 and passed away in 2011).
Forty years later, the family-owned and operated restaurant has become a fish and chips staple in Steveston Village and has opened locations in Port Moody and Vancouver International Airport.
Branch told the Richmond News she never expected the restaurant to grow and serve fish and chips for so long.
"In the blink of an eye, time just passed by so fast. I just can't believe it's 40 years already," she said.
"Seeing friends and families and those who have supported us for all these years, I'm just so thankful."
Branch's daughter Cindy Plumb is now acting as president and CEO of Pajo's. She said the 40th anniversary was filled with "gratitude, a touch of nostalgia and a whole lot of joy."
Plumb described her mother as an individual with a dream, determination and a "willingness to try harder than anyone else."
"When I say she puts her mind to something, there's no stopping her," Plumb told the attendees of the celebration. This is evidenced by the creation of Pajo's despite the fact Branch didn't have any restaurant experience at the time, she added.
"Bit by bit, the business grew slowly, steadily, lovingly. It has taken an entire community, all of you with every single team member who has passed through the doors to build what we now proudly call Pajo's."
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