New Owners Bring Fresh Dreams and a Community Focus to Shoeless Joe’s in Peterborough
/By Scott Arnold
A family of three has traded Thunder Bay for Peterborough, taking over Shoeless Joe’s Sports Grill with a vision of bringing people together through sports, good food and a welcoming atmosphere.
General Manager Wayne Umphrey, left, with new Shoeless Joe’s Sports Grill owners Smiley and Sapnesh Sikka. (photo by scott arnold)
There’s a new chapter underway at Shoeless Joe’s Sports Grill in Peterborough, where new owners Smiley and Sapnesh Sikka are settling into the community and looking forward to making the restaurant a gathering place for local sports fans.
The couple officially took over the franchise at 1135 Lansdowne Street West on August 17th, bringing new dreams and a community-minded approach to the business. They moved to Peterborough from Thunder Bay in July with their six-year-old daughter, looking for a place where their family could grow and put down roots.
“We want to grow up with the community,” Smiley said. “We are bringing ourselves with new dreams and hopes in our life to Peterborough.”
The move comes after 10 years in Thunder Bay, where Sapnesh had relocated for a business opportunity after moving to Canada from India in 2010. Having spent years surrounded by lakes and trails, the family wanted to find a community that offered a similar connection to nature while bringing them closer to the Greater Toronto Area.
Peterborough checked both boxes.
“We found out Peterborough is the perfect location,” Smiley said, noting the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors while remaining close to the GTA.
Since arriving in July, the family has already started exploring the area, including the Kawartha Lakes, Lakefield and the Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden. They have also been impressed by the welcome they have received, with both owners describing the people and community as kind and friendly.
Their daughter has also settled into her new surroundings, something that was an important part of the decision to move.
“She’s going to school here and she’s loving it,” Smiley said. “That’s all we wanted.”
Sports fans can catch the action on the big screens at Shoeless Joe’s Sports Grill in Peterborough. (photo by scott arnold)
A Sports Bar in a Sports Town
For the couple, Shoeless Joe’s offered an opportunity to combine their business ambitions with a community that shares a love of sports.
They had been exploring different business opportunities before settling on the Peterborough restaurant, but their goal remained the same: find a smaller community near the GTA and operate a sports restaurant where people could come together, enjoy a game and have a good time.
Peterborough’s sporting culture made it a natural fit.
“We are in a perfect place,” Smiley said. “This is a sports bar and we are living in a sports city as well.”
With more than 14 draft options on tap, Shoeless Joe’s has plenty to offer customers looking to enjoy a game from the bar. (photo by scott arnold)
General Manager Wayne Umphrey, who took over the role last month, said the restaurant is embracing a new beginning after six years in Peterborough.
The focus is on building awareness, connecting with local sports organizations and welcoming customers through the doors, whether they are coming to watch a game, meet friends or enjoy a meal.
“We are an upscale sports bar, but yet, come on in your shorts, your jeans, your track pants, doesn’t matter,” Umphrey said. “We look forward to serving everybody.”
The restaurant is already sponsoring the AAA Peterborough Petes and is looking to expand its involvement with local baseball, lacrosse, hockey and soccer organizations as opportunities arise.
With so many teams and passionate fans in the area, the goal is to make Shoeless Joe’s a place where the community can gather to cheer on its favourites.
The welcoming interior of Shoeless Joe’s Sports Grill, where local sports fans can gather to enjoy food, drinks and their favourite games. (photo by scott arnold)
What Customers Can Expect
The new owners are working on marketing and advertising to help more people discover what Shoeless Joe’s has to offer, with an emphasis on creating an enjoyable experience for customers.
For those who prefer to catch a game from the bar, there are more than 14 draft options on tap, including premium, imported and local beers. The restaurant also offers daily deals, with a $5 Bud Light available most days of the week. Happy hour runs until 6pm from Sunday through Thursday, with Fridays and Saturdays excluded for now due to the restaurant's busy schedule with visiting sports teams.
From game-day gatherings to a casual meal with friends, Shoeless Joe’s Sports Grill is looking to build on its place in Peterborough’s sports community. (photo by scott arnold)
