Codroy Valley couple open new diner
O’gorman’s Diner in Upper Ferry a dream come true for owners
The anticipation was clear in Amanda O’gorman’s voice on Monday, March 18, as she worked to complete the final preparations to open her new business, O’gorman’s Diner, in Upper Ferry.
“We’re at the opening day,” she said, excitedly counting down the hours to the planned 7 a.m. opening on Tuesday, March 19.
Located in the former Joe’s Café and Valley Service Station building, the restaurant is across the street from Belanger Memorial.
It’s a venture that she shares with her husband, Lawrence O’gorman.
MOVING HOME
Amanda is originally from Ontario and moved to the Codroy Valley with Lawrence three years ago.
Lawrence was born and raised in the Codroy Valley and lived in Ontario for a few years. He always wanted to move back home, but knew there were not a lot of opportunities there.
“I knew to survive back here in the valley you’d have to do something on your own,” he said.
When he first met Amanda, Lawrence said, he mentioned to her that he was thinking about opening a pizza and wing restaurant in the Codroy Valley. It’s a field that she has years of experience in, and he knew having her own restaurant was a dream of hers.
“I’ve been in the restaurant serving industry since I was 16. And I’ve cooked for many years, and I’ve served for many years,” she said.
While in Ontario she worked at a high-end restaurant and managed and operated a dining hall at Trent University.
‘GOOD OPPORTUNITY’
After moving to Newfoundland, Amanda started working locally and Lawrence continued to travel back and forth to Ontario to work.
They were just getting by, he said, so when he suggested opening the diner, it didn’t take much convincing to get Amanda on board.
“It’s been a dream of mine,” she said. “I’m a people person and I love being involved in the community.”
She could see Upper Ferry as a good location.
“There weren’t many options restaurant-wise here in the valley. And just listening to the community about everyone having to travel so far just to go and get a breakfast or even takeout. So, it just really made me put some thought into it,” she said.
“There’s so much lost here in the valley now and it’s just getting to the point where every time you talk to somebody, it’s like we wish we had somewhere to go eat,” added Lawrence.
“So, I said, ‘I think this is a good opportunity for us to pursue your lifelong dream,’ and I said let’s go for it.”
‘PATIENTLY WAITING’
Amanda started working on the restaurant in May 2023. Her business proposal included surveying area residents about what they thought of the idea, and she got 300 signatures from people in the Codroy Valley and Port aux Basques area who thought it was needed.
Joe’s Café was vacant at the time, so she took her business proposal to the building’s owners, who saw it as a great opportunity for the Codroy Valley and agreed to lease the building to the O’gormans.
There’s been a few hiccups along the way as they worked through issues with permits, but Amanda is happy they are ready to open.
She said the town is also looking forward to it.
“Everybody has been patiently waiting. They’re excited and can’t wait to come out and try it. They’re quite impressed with the menu and the pricing,” she said.
A LITTLE OF EVERYTHING
The menu includes a little bit of everything, from breakfast options to burgers and wraps, Jigg’s dinner, chicken alfredo and fish — and, of course, regular wing nights.
The diner also has a special menu for the students at Belanger Memorial because there isn’t a cafeteria at the school.
Lawrence said they will source whatever local products they can from the Codroy Valley.
For the next couple of months, the diner will be open Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
With people going to their cabins and tourists coming through, they will expand the hours in the summer, Amanda said.
“If the business is there, I’m going to stay open,” she said.