A lot can happen in a decade.
For Nico and Karri Schuermans, the past ten years has seen the pair develop a string of successful restaurants and businesses including , , and the .
Somehow, throughout it all, they still found time to start a family.
The impact Chambar has had on the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»dining scene over the past decade cannot be understated. The restaurant perfected, if not pioneered, the high-quality yet laid-back dining experience Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»has become known for. Former employees have gone on to open some of the city's most exciting and innovative restaurants, including Wildebeest, L'Abbattoir, The Diamond, Bao Bei, and Calabash – a phenomenon Scout Magazine has referred to as the "Chambar Effect".
So as the couple approached the 10th anniversary of Chambar first opening its doors, the Schuermans decided to take stock of what they had built and where they were going.
"We have three kids now, so we can't run three businesses," says Nico.
The couple decided to refocus their energy. Instead of spreading themselves thin, they would devote themselves entirely to the restaurant that started it all – Chambar – and ensure it will continue for another decade.
"We had an addiction to start-ups," says Karri. "But that was diluting what we were doing."
The resulting changes have been dramatic. This year Chambar moved down the street into its new home at 568 Beatty. The new room features more space and seating spread over two floors, a patio, a lounge, and private dining rooms.
For Nico, one of the most exciting changes has been the enormous new kitchen he now commands.
"Our old kitchen was so small we could only fit five at a time," he says. "So you had to be a rock star, or you'd be in the way."
Not only does the larger kitchen accommodate more staff, but it allows Nico and his crew to do things they were never able to before, like in-house charcuterie and butchering.
"There were so many things Nico couldn't do before," says Karri. "He has the ability to be a lot more spontaneous with the food now."
The changes have certainly been well-received. Chambar was named Vancouver's Best Restaurant in this year's . The accolades didn't stop there, however. Chambar also won for Most Romantic, and placed second for Best Interior Décor and Best Downtown Restaurant.
Despite all the changes, what has remained constant has been Nico and Karri's philosophy: Amazing food and drink served in a decidedly unpretentious setting.
"We're very grateful people in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»like the concept," says Karri. "We'd like to keep doing this for another 10 years."
