From server to owner: how one woman took the reins of this popular local eatery

Marcie Brenton’s passion has always been for the restaurant industry.

The Copper Coil Still and Grill owner has worked in restaurants since she was 16, and the restaurant industry is a family business – her uncle owns a Whistler eatery, Rim Rock Café.

“It’s in my blood. It runs in my family,” Brenton says.

Originally from Vancouver Island, Brenton was attending JCI Institute in Vancouver for makeup when she ran into a friend from Squamish who urged her to move there to work in a restaurant they were opening.

Brenton fell in love with the town and opted to stay, working at the friend’s restaurant before moving on to the Chieftain, where she worked for two years.

“A friend of mine kept asking me about restaurants,” Brenton says.

“I asked him why. He said he was opening a restaurant and was taking me with him.”

Her friend opened The Copper Coil, a Cajun-style local favourite, where Brenton became the general manager.

The original owner sold the restaurant to two co-owners, who eventually decided Brenton was the architect of its success and should ultimately own the restaurant. Last fall, she took over full ownership, claiming she considers the former owner a mentor.

“It’s all been a little crazy because everything has happened so fast. I’ve never really asked for anything from anyone. I stayed with the program and it kind of paid off,” Brenton says.

“It’s been a lot to take over. It has been challenging, especially through COVID-19, but it’s been worth it.”

The Copper Coil pairs the character of New Orleans-style Cajun food with the bounty of the Pacific Northwest.

“Our head chef puts his heart and soul into every dish,” Brenton says.

All the meat is smoked in-house. However, the menu also offers vegan and gluten-free options.

“We want to cater to everyone in Squamish. We make sure we have everything for everyone,” Brenton says.

That commitment to restaurant variety reflects Brenton’s appreciation for the local community.

“I’m really thankful to the community for always rallying with us,” she says. The people have been really good to me, and I’m really thankful for everything.”

To learn more about The Copper Coil, visit www.thecoppercoil.com.