By Vivian Collings

Lola’s Meal Stop and Snack Shop is a long-awaited dream come true for Lori Glenn and her family.

The food truck opened on May 6 in Carnarvon at the previous Carnarvon Bowl location at the corner intersection of Highway 35 and Highway 118.

Glenn was seeking a change in pace from her 9-to-5 desk job after working in market research for many years. With her two children Matea and Taylor living back at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, the family decided that it was the perfect time to try something new. 

The long-time Haliburton County residents knew the old bowling alley property would be the ideal location when it became available to lease.

“We do well here. We’re getting to know the people, they’re getting to know us, and it’s nice because there is that central aspect to being right in Carnarvon,” Glenn said.

She also said that they’ve received a lot of support from the community and local restaurants willing to offer a hand.

“I think everybody’s aware that there is space for a lot more in this town. They’re really supportive. Every week it gets steadier,” said Taylor. “This week’s been busy, and we expect to keep getting busier with school finishing and more people coming to visit their cottages in the area. We are looking forward to that.”

The one item on their menu that has been a big hit so far is pizza.

“Pizza seems to be the one thing that we sell the most of, it wasn’t intended to be, but it was what kick-started our success here,” Matea said. “The big thing that we wanted it to be is all-fresh, homemade food. We grew up here, and nothing is ever open past 5 p.m. so we wanted this to be a good addition to the county.”

Lola’s Meal Stop and Snack Shop also offers hand-cut fries, ice cream, poutine, sausages and hot dogs.

“We’re slowly adding more menu items. Another thing that we’re going to have are different barbecue flavours of the world, burgers, baked goods, funnel cakes, and we eventually hope to start catering. We’re looking forward to getting them out there,” Taylor said.

Their goal is to stay open into the colder seasons as long as there is a customer demand.

Lola’s Meal Stop and Snack Shop is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays for lunch and dinner with breakfast to follow soon. They can be found on Facebook and Instagram @lolasincarnarvon, and ask that you call 705-489-1100 in advance to order pizza.

Glenn said, “We’re really happy to be here, and for years we’ve sought after this property after the bowling alley burned down. The community seems really happy as well, and we’re excited to see what the future brings.”