The sign outside John's Place in downtown Victoria is pictured on Oct. 17, 2024, some 40 years after it opened.
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.The business bearing the jukebox sign at 723 Pandora Ave. in downtown Victoria is John’s Place. Always has been, always will be.It wasn’t until 1994 that the place got its makeover to a virtual museum of memorabilia and pop culture.
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.To thank their longtime customers for 40 years of business, John and crew decided to turn back the clock.“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.
“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.”