Meet April Gillespie and Suzi Robbin of Edna Vees Public House in Covina

Today we’d like to introduce you to April Gillespie and Suzi Robbin.

Thanks for sharing your story with us April and Suzi. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
We are two best friends that met through mutual friends ten years ago at Suzi’s previous restaurant. After only a couple of conversations, we knew we would be life long friends. Both shared the dream of owning a Public House (Pub) and had the same vision of how it would look and feel. Through this Public House we wanted to build a platform of community and giving back.

Due to life circumstances, it took until 2017 where we could turn this dream to reality. With the right location, support from City of Covina, and star aligning we jumped in with two feet. We both quit our corporate jobs and went full speed ahead. With the ambiance of the rolling garage doors to the open patio, our selection of board games, live-size games, tabletop shuffleboard, live entertainment, paint nights, live band karaoke it’s not just a place where people eat and run. It’s become a place of belonging and hanging out, for all ages. For this reason, you won’t see a host when you walk in. Its open seating with no reservations for our guests/gnomies are never rushed.

Suzi and April have a love of gnomes. Gnomes are the protector of space and are known to provide good fortune. It all started with our two Denver Bronco gnomes that traveled with them on vacations. From there, there are over 50 gnomes at the Public House all donated from our loyal guests. Bubba the Gnome has become the Public House mascot. Bubba stands 3 ft tall and greets you as you walk in.

Edna Vees Public House is named after April’s maternal Grandmother, Edna Virginia. We are celebrating a very successful first year on July 24th. We are extremely proud that in our first year Edna Vees provided a place for community and partnership with the YWCA to support their domestic violence program. We will continue this partnership and explore more ways to give back in year two.

Our vision of Edna Vees doesn’t end in Covina, We see more locations in our future, but for now come by Covina and have a cold beer with us. Check out our “gnome away from home.”

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Running a restaurant brings challenges and obstacles on a daily basis. No one day is ever the same. From a pipe bursting, a toilet over-flowing, air-conditioning shutting down, to a cook calling out an hour before his/her shift, vendors all of a sudden out of stock on our highest selling menu item…we are learning to roll with the punches and make it happen.

Owning a bar is a challenge in weight gain, ha! Guests always want to have a beer with us which we love but also need to keep a good appearance. In all seriousness though, we are learning that being two women business owners comes with its own obstacles and challenges. There are many times that we think to ourselves, “would this person talk to us the same way if we were men?”We don’t always feel that we are taken serious. Once vendors know we are the owners, demeanor towards us changes.

Please tell us about Edna Vees Public House.
Edna Vees Public House is a restaurant/pub based in Covina, CA. We are a beer/wine pub serving a full menu from burgers, salads, flatbreads to mac n’ cheese and tator tot selections. We are known for our open-air atmosphere where guests hang out all day. One of the best compliments we have received from guests is that they noticed not everyone is looking down at their phones. People are laughing as they play cards against humanity, what is your meme, to the life-size Jenga and Connect Four. It’s become a place to gather with a monthly calendar full of events.

Our sense of relaxed environment for all ages, where parents can bring their kids, grab a board game, have a cold beer while watching sports on the seven TV’s and/or live entertainment is what sets Edna Vees Public House apart from others. You are almost sure to catch either Suzi or April walking around greeting guests and making sure their experience is enjoyable.

Pricing:

• Happy Hour: M-F 3pm-6pm $1 off draft beers, house wines, and sangria. All day Happy Hour on Sundays
• $2 Taco Tuesday
• $15 Bottomless Mimosas during Sunday Brunch, 10am-1pm

Contact Info:

• Address: 127 S. Citrus Ave.
  Covina, CA 91723
• Website: www.ednaveeespublichouse.com
• Phone: (626) 339-8844
• Email: gnomies@ednavs.com
• Instagram: @ednavees
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EdnaVeesPublicHouse/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/edna-vees-public-house-covina?osq=edna+vees+public+house

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.