‘Mama and Papa’ bid farewell to popular CB Drive Inn after 30 years

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After greater than 30 years within the enterprise, Younger and Shain Lee turned their final patties.

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The Lees — higher identified to employees and regulars as “Papa and Mama” — have owned and operated northwest Calgary staple CB Drive Inn for the reason that early ’90s, slinging burgers and their ever-popular crinkle-cut fries every day. since. Now they’re retiring and handing over the reins of the household enterprise to the following era.

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A whole lot flocked to the Northmount Drive drive-in Sunday afternoon to get a chunk of a few of the institution’s well-known fries — “completely seasoned,” as some longtime CB’s followers describe them — and to say goodbye to the old-school drive-in longtime house owners as they marked their final day earlier than retirement.

“The most effective burgers and fries. It is good service and friendliness and quick — quick service is my enterprise right here,” stated the 81-year-old Younger — a reputation he likes to jokingly declare additionally pertains to his age. When requested his title, even on the day he celebrated his retirement, he replied: “My title is Younger Lee — not outdated man; Younger man.”

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CB Drive Inn handed on to subsequent era

That youthful exuberance shines by means of within the nearly unending smiles the household offers to each visitor who walks by means of their doorways. With orders memorized and heat regards to their regulars, Younger, Shain and CB’s themselves have lengthy been a fixture within the northwest group of Collingwood – particularly for the generations of children who grew up or went to highschool within the space.

“I went to highschool right here from 1st grade to twelfth grade, so I visited rather a lot — instructed by my mother to not go purchase too many fries,” Darryl Guglielmin stated. “It has been right here endlessly and it has been nice from the start till now. We’re unhappy that they’re retiring, however completely satisfied that the kids are taking it on.”

They might be amongst some acquainted faces, however CB Drive Inn will dwell on, with youthful members of the family able to take the helm of the family-run burger joint. The Lees handed the keys to their son and nephew, who had been entrusted with protecting the CB legacy going.

And Younger is aware of the 2 are as much as the duty.

“Possibly they will proceed for an additional 30 years,” he stated to a throaty and wholehearted giggle, one which his loyal patrons have come to know and love.

Even past that, Younger believes there’s a lengthy future forward for CBs. He stated, gesturing to his grandchildren, “My third era is ready right here.”

mrodriguez@postmedia.com

Twitter: @michaelrdrguez