Parkhill on Hunter closes after 25 years in business

Owner of iconic restaurant in downtown Peterborough to focus on catering and event planning

A popular fine dining destination in downtown Peterborough's cafe district, Parkhill on Hunter will be closing its doors on September 29 (photo: Julie Gagne Photography)
A popular fine dining destination in downtown Peterborough's cafe district, Parkhill on Hunter will be closing its doors on September 29 (photo: Julie Gagne Photography)

After 25 years in business, Parkhill on Hunter closed its doors on Monday, September 29th.

The current owner, Emma Cox, began working at Parkhill as a server over 12 years ago and then purchased the business in 2010. After operating the restaurant for the past four years, Cox says she will be transitioning her focus, skill and experience to a new catering and event planning business, called EC Catering.

The landmark Peterborough restaurant originally opened in the early 1980s as The Parkhill Café, when it was located on Parkhill Road. In its first seven years of operation, it passed through three owners. Marnie and Conrad Croteau purchased the restaurant in 1989 and operated it for over 20 years — including overseeing its move in 1999 from the original location to the current location on Hunter Street.

The logo of Cox's new business EC Catering
The logo of Cox’s new business EC Catering
When we spoke to Cox today about her announcement, she said she made the decision with both sadness and excitement about the next phase with EC Catering.

“The name of the new business obviously reflects my initials, but the ECCE logo is also a word meaning ‘in between’,” she explains. “That is exactly what we will be: an intermediary between our client and their event.”

EC Catering will honour all Parkhill on Hunter gift certificates for one year from closing date.

“Although we won’t be in a brick and mortar restaurant, our food and event planning services will still be available,” Cox says. “We also want our regular clients to know that many of our staff will be retained with EC Catering, and that they can still arrange to get their favourite dishes.”

“Being a restaurateur has been an amazing experience,” Cox adds. “I value the opportunities we have had to host so many wonderful events, from corporate functions to weddings, and I look forward to continuing with this passion as my main focus.”

Cox thanks her friends, family, vendors, local farmers and all of her loyal customers for their support and patronage of the restaurant.

“It has truly been an honour and a pleasure to have served you,” she says.

You can reach Emma at 705-768-2474 or by email at eccecatering@gmail.com.

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Jeannine Taylor
Jeannine Taylor is the CEO, founder, and publisher of kawarthaNOW.com and a contributing writer. She's a self-professed geek and early adopter. Jeannine has over 30 years of experience in marketing, media and communications, and web development. She has been a digital media publisher for over 25 years since kawarthaNOW.com was launched online as Quid Novis in 1996. Her awards include Peterborough's Business Woman of the Year in 2005, a Premier's Award nominee in 2003, and a City of Peterborough Civic Award for chairing the development of Millennium Park. She's also a vegetarian, music lover and, cultural enthusiast. Jeannine would rather be at the cottage kayaking or hanging out with @caitthebordercollie. You can follow her on Instagram @wired_woman or on Twitter @wiredwoman.