Owner of Jerk Fusion restaurant hopes to reopen in new location

The Sault’s first-ever Caribbean restaurant may be on the move.

Just days after announcing he’d be closing indefinitely, Caribbean Jerk Fusion owner and cook Andre Atkins confirmed to SooToday that he has begun searching for a new location to house his restaurant.

“The restaurant is coming back soon,” he told SooToday. “We’re trying to find a better location. Downtown is too slow for me.”

Originally opened at 476 Queen St. E., Atkins says he would prefer to run a new location on either Great Northern Road or Trunk Road.

“I want to be busier,” he says. “I’m getting myself organized and will start looking.”

Caribbean Jerk Fusion took to social media last Tuesday to announce a closure "until further notice" — just over one year since the restaurant introduced its "jerk" cuisine to downtown customers.

“To our valued customers, please be advised that CJF will be temporarily closed until further notice,” the post reads. “We would like to thank the beautiful people of the Soo, for the love and support you have shown us. We appreciate every single one of you!”

A native of Jamaica, Atkins worked in Toronto for 20 years before moving his family to Sault Ste. Marie.

The restaurant opened in April 2022 and was featured in a SooToday "New in the Soo" video a couple months after.

Caribbean Jerk Fusion had seating for up to 50 diners on Queen Street.

“I just love to cook,” Atkins said shorty after the grand opening. “It’s my passion. I just want to cook and have people enjoy, with no dishes…It isn’t just for Caribbean people. It’s for everyone. I want everyone to enjoy a quality meal that’s not too expensive.”