New operators eager to reopen popular eatery next week
A fresh chapter is about to be written at the Emerson Golf Course clubhouse, as The Depot prepares to open its doors on April 26.
Owned and operated by Eunhee Choi and Minho Kim, a married couple who immigrated to Canada from South Korea in 2022, the restaurant is more than just a business venture—it’s a celebration of community, culture, and fresh beginnings.
Located at 5 South Avenue in Emerson, The Depot revives a familiar name with a renewed vision. Originally called “The Depot” when the building was constructed in 2017, the couple decided to keep the moniker after hearing from numerous residents who still referred to it that way.
“We were planning to have our own name,” Kim admitted with a laugh, “but many Emerson residents told us they’d probably still call it The Depot. We want it to feel familiar and comfortable for our customers. They support our business, so we are establishing this restaurant together.”
Choi and Kim’s journey to entrepreneurship was anything but conventional. Back in South Korea, Kim worked as a university administrator and faculty member, while Choi was a designer at the same university. They arrived in Canada in the middle of a snowstorm, landing in Winnipeg at 1 a.m. in January 2022.
“I didn’t expect that kind of cold air,” Kim recalled. “It was a very strong first impression.”
Despite the cultural shift and icy climate, the couple quickly found a home in Emerson. Kim took a job managing the local Bigway grocery store, getting to know nearly every face in town. Choi immersed herself in local programming, leading a Korean Cuisine Night in 2023 that introduced Bulgogi to the community, and teaching a Korean language and cooking class the following year.
Their integration didn’t go unnoticed. When the Emerson Golf Course offered them a chance to take over the restaurant space in 2023, it seemed like the next natural step. After receiving their permanent residency in 2024, they officially acquired the space this past January.
And now, with spring around the corner, The Depot is nearly ready to welcome its first customers.
The vision for the restaurant is clear: to be a welcoming hub where friends and families can connect over good food and warm conversation.
The menu, at least to start, will lean toward comfort-style Canadian classics: burgers, pizzas, fries, poutine.
“There’s already Chinese and Vietnamese food in Emerson,” Kim explained. “Right now, this will be the only place focused on Canadian food. But we may add other special items later.”
Breakfast will also be on the menu, and while the exact hours of operation are still being finalized, the couround business, with extended hours during the busy golf season.
“With two kids in the hockey program, there will be a bit of juggling,” Choi said with a smile. Their children, Jayden Kim, 11, and Sowon Kim, 7, have taken to their new home with enthusiasm—especially Canadian sports.
“We didn’t even know the rules of hockey before,” said Choi. “But now they’re both playing. This summer, they’ll also be trying out softball and soccer in Altona.”
Although neither of them has owned a restaurant before, the duo’s excitement is contagious.
“It’s our first time, but people in the community have been so excited and supportive,” Kim said. “That’s a down.”
With passion, hard work, and an entire community behind them, Choi and Kim are excited for the future.
“We’re very grateful for the warm welcome from Emerson, Altona and the surrounding areas,” they say. “We aim to make The Depot a beloved meeting place for everyone.”
