February 20, 2019
After a short visit to the North, Aihua and Ajun Zhang knew Hay River would be their new home. Originally from Shenyang, China, the two moved to the Hub and purchased the Café, She Takes the Cake in 2018. Now running under the name Big Lake Eatery, the restaurant now specializes in fish and chips, with the fish coming right from Great Slave.
Their home in China boasts a population of more than eight million people, and when Cabin Radio asked what they thought about Hay River’s population of 3,500, Aihua said she “loves the idea of having so much space.”
Before coming to Canada, Ajun was a doctor and Aihua dabbled in a few different careers; she sold car insurance, had a business selling women’s apparel, and taught kindergarten – all of which required skills that would transfer well to a restaurant setting.
Not only did their combined experience help to make the Big Lake Eatery’s opening a huge success, but also helped when immigrating to the north through the Northwest Territories Nominee Program.
People who want to immigrate to the Northwest Territories to start their own business or invest in and operate an established company may apply.