John’s Place celebrates 40 years of business with 1984 prices

Victoria breakfast joint John’s Place opened back in 1984, and to celebrate 40 years in business, it’s bringing back prices from four decades ago.

By the sign you’d assume it’s John’s Place, but an argument can be made otherwise.

Parmjeet Singh comes here every day, so you could say it’s his place. “You could argue that,” he chuckles over a bowl of bottomless soup.

Liz Willis has worked here for 39 years, so you could also call it her place. You could also make a case for Norm Cantin, who’s taken over the reins of the business from his dad, John.

“Norm’s Place?” asks the elder Cantin. “I’d blow the sign off with some heavy wind.”

The business bearing the jukebox sign at 723 Pandora Ave. in downtown Victoria is John’s Place. Always has been, always will be.

When it opened in 1984 it looked a lot different.

“The original was plaster walls from 120 years ago,” said John on Thursday.

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It wasn’t until 1994 that the place got its makeover to a virtual museum of memorabilia and pop culture.

“I had to change it because the plaster was falling off the walls and hitting customers,” he said. “I thought, ‘I’m gonna make this look like a rec room I grew up in in Ontario.'”

If the walls, adorned with celebrity pictures from Springsteen to Ali – and local legends like Alfred the Flower Man and Hudson Mack – could talk they’d recommend the Eggs Benny.

“I’d say, absolutely, it’s the best in the city,” said Willis.

To thank their longtime customers for 40 years of business, John and crew decided to turn back the clock.

From Monday to Friday next week, Oct. 21 to 25, all menu items are priced like it’s 1984.

“Coffee is a buck. The morning breakfast special that we had forever – which was, like, scrambled eggs, toast, hashbrowns, a piece of orange and a newspaper – is $2.50,” he said.

The famous Eggs Benny is $7, as is the burger. To properly open the time capsule, they need a soundtrack.

“I’ve made the playlist,” said Norm. “It’s actually a set playlist from 1984.”

Norm wasn’t born until 1991, so he’s looking forward to seeing what he missed out on.

“I can’t wait to see how many people show up and be part of Victoria history. It really is historic to be in Victoria for 40 years.”

To add to the ambience and nostalgia, John has invited the servers from opening day to come back on staff.

“We’ll have a crew of ‘celebrity’ staff from way back,” he laughed.

If they need a refresher they can always ask Willis. With 39 years at John’s Place she’s not even the longest-serving employee.

“Deb has been here 40 years,” she said. “Thirty-nine years, 40 next year, I’m very proud of it.”

As to why she’s been here this long, she answers with no hesitation. “You see these customers,” she asked, with arms spread wide. “Every day is different.”

It should be noted that the 80s prices do not apply to takeout and only one meal can be purchased per customer at a time. The throwback prices also don’t apply to alcohol.

“We didn’t go there,” laughed Norm. And don’t even think about lighting up a smoke like it’s 1984.

“The day we closed the smoking section was one of the best days of my career,” said Willis.