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Kelowna's Shady Rest Fish and Chip shop reopens after tragic death

The restaurant reopened on June 21
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Alex son of Shady Rest Fish and Chip shop owners has died.

After tragedy struck the Cawood family at the start of June, their Shady Rest Fish and Chip shop shut its doors.

Darran Cawood's son Alex had suddenly died and the family would need time to grieve. 

However, on June 19 the Cawood family decided they would be reopening the restaurant and thanked the community for its support during their difficult time. 

According to a Facebook post, Alex was a son, brother, friend, partner and father to daughter Evelyn Mary and a son, who is to be born in July. 

“We feel completely lost without Alex but we feel he would want us to re-open and have our customers come in and share stories with us and help us move forward. We will be re-opening on June 21, We hope to see you all there for Alex's favourite day Fish Friday,” reads a post. 

The Kelowna community and beyond, showed their support for the restaurant owners, with hundreds engaging with the Shady Rest Fish and Chip shop Facebook page and dozens posting comments. 

The Shady Rest has been open for 77 years, at 1359 Sutherland Avenue. 

Kelowna residents Frank and Dilys Singer owned and operated Shady Rest from 1953 to 1963, with the Pearson family taking over the famous restaurant in 1967, which was then sold to the Cawoods in 2017.



Jen Zielinski

About the Author: Jen Zielinski

I am a broadcast journalism graduate from BCIT and hold a bachelor of arts degree in political science and sociology from Thompson Rivers University. I enjoy volunteering with local organizations, such as the Okanagan Humane Society.
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