Sault's first Caribbean restaurant closed 'until further notice'

The Sault’s first-ever Caribbean restaurant is closing indefinitely, a little more than a year after introducing its "jerk" cuisine to downtown customers.

Caribbean Jerk Fusion, located at 476 Queen St. E., announced the news in a Facebook post this morning, insisting the shutdown is temporary.

“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!”

The message ends with a heart emoji.

A phone call to the restaurant was met with a recorded message indicating the voicemail is full. SooToday also reached out for comment via email but has yet to receive a response.

Opened in April 2022, the restaurant’s cook and and owner is Andre Atkins, a native of Jamaica who lived and worked in Toronto for 20 years before moving his family to Sault Ste. Marie.

“The Sault is laid back and more relaxing,” he told SooToday last year, right after the grand opening. “I like the outdoors and the water. It’s more relaxed. I like that.”

The restaurant was featured last June in a SooToday “New in the Soo” video.

The restaurant had seating for up to 50 diners.

“I just love to cook,” Atkins said. “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.”