A lot has been happening at Money Pennies over the past year.  Owners Lorrie and Michele have been reinvesting into their business to keep things fresh.  After buying the building a few years ago, they proceeded to do renovations to add windows across the front of the building, and have a number of other major structural changes planned – an expanded kitchen out back, and an expanded indoors area upstairs.  Recently they bought a whole new set of tables and chairs for the restaurant.

Which is why it came as such a shock earlier this month when Lorrie and Michele sent out an E-mail to their close friends and business associates announcing their decision to retire.  They stated that the business would continue to be run by their long-standing employee Jason Wheeler and his sister Lizaine.

GayCalgary.com sat down with the four of them to find out more.

"I said that when I was 55 I would retire," reiterated Lorrie.  "A few months ago, Jason came to me and said, ‘If you’re going to sell the bar, would you let me know first, and how much would you want.’  So I wrote down a little figure for him and off he went, and off we went to buy furniture and continued working on the bar.  Jason and Lizaine came to us with an offer that made us say yeah, we can retire."

Lorrie and Michele will be turning over the business to Jason and Lizaine on June 1st this year.

"I have worked here for 2 and a half years and I’ve made sure that I’ve learned a lot from them.  So that’s a big part of being able to continue the legacy that they’ve created," says Jason.  "...We’re just going to continue and do what Lorrie and Michele have always done; stay with the times, stay up to date and keep going.  You don’t fix something that’s not broken."

"They’re going to continue to work with the community," adds Lorrie.  Jason agrees, "That’s a big big part of our plan.  ...We’re honouring all of the commitments that they’ve made as a business, and we’ll grow from that."

Although Lorrie and Michele are giving up the restaurant/bar business, they still plan to continue catering.  "We have always done catering out of this kitchen since we’ve been here, so we’re looking forward to having a space where it’s just catering – where I’m not cooking and catering at the same time," says Michele.  They plan to take over the expanded kitchen area planned for behind Money Pennies until Jason is ready to expand into it.

"So really you haven’t lost anything, you’ve gained another facet in the community because we’ll have our catering company," adds Lorrie.

When asked if they will still be seen out in the gay community, Michele responded  "Well, you know it’s going to be weird coming for Wing Nite on Wednesday nights, because now we’re going to have to pay for them!"

"Yeah, you’ll see us out," says Lorrie.  "We’ll probably be out probably more than we’ve been before."  Michele continued, "Because now we will be able to go and do things.  It was really hard for us...our friends stopped asking us to do things because we just weren’t available to do them.  We’re letting everyone know that our dance card is open after June 1st."

Although many Money Pennies patrons are familiar with Jason, his sister will be a new face.  Lorrie and Michele are working to ensure she has a chance to mingle with their clientele before the switch occurs.

"Right now Lizaine has actually come in and done some bar shifts and some kitchen shifts.  Jason’s taken some kitchen shifts as well.  What we’re doing right now is a seamless transition so that the customers can see Lizaine and Jason.  ...we want them to succeed," says Michele.  "Lizaine’s actually quite a bit like Lorrie, only Lizaine is a little bit funnier," Michele joked.

"I’ve been in Calgary for 7 years," said Lizaine.  "I’m straight...but we’ve always supported Jason within our family.  Our parents are going to be helping out as well."

"One of the big things that we’re continuing from Lorrie and Michele is that big family involvement," added Jason.  "Lorrie’s family was always very active down here, and my family is similar."

Jason and Lizaine’s dad has been president of PFlag in Edmonton since Jason came out.  Their mom does one-on-one counselling for new parents within the group.  "They’ve been doing this for 13 years," Jason commented.  "They marched in a Gay Pride Parade before I even saw one!"

As for Lorrie and Michele, they continue looking toward the future.  Although they are selling their business, they will continue to be partially involved as the landlords.  The renovations they had planned are still slated to occur.

"We’re continuing with the expansion of Money Pennies.  ...[the renovations] will go a little slower, probably over the next two years," says Lorrie.

"We’re hoping that the community will continue to support Money Pennies, nothing has changed except for the owners, and they’re really great people.  ...We weren’t actively looking to sell Money Pennies, and you have to know that.  But Jason and Lizaine have a passion and we like what we see."