YK’s Mantle restaurant closing, owners hope to find new operator

A popular Filipino eatery, The Mantle, is preparing to shut down after serving Yellowknife for just under a decade.

Ramona Libiano, daughter of owner Rodil, said the family made the decision to close the space last year.

The restaurant – presently located on the second floor of 4511 Franklin Avenue – first launched in September 2016, closed for about a year during the pandemic, then became a food truck for roughly three years before ultimately returning as a storefront in 2023.

Ramona recalls the restaurant’s opening day as a busy one, filled with customers. For the first five years, she managed the business with her parents and brother, before the family decided to hire five additional staff members.

“We’re so happy to serve authentic Filipino food here. Some of the people here miss the Philippines,” she told Cabin Radio. “The people here were really loyal. When there is an event they come and join us.”

On Thursday afternoon, The Mantle announced it is looking for a new owner as it prepares to close its doors. The same day, one individual had contacted the owners to express interest in renting the site.

Though business was steady, Ramona said high costs have forced it to relocate out of the city. According to her, The Mantle pays $12,000 a month in rent, in addition to a 27-percent commission fee charged by the food delivery service DoorDash on orders.

“It’s a lot. That’s a reason as well,” she said.

“For the customers also it was so pricy so they [wouldn’t] order. This year, it has been kind-of slow because some of the suppliers went really high … the prices are high now.”

Ramona said the family considered moving south in 2023 but decided to give the current location a try instead.

“It was good that year, 2024 was good as well. Tourists also come here to try our food,” she said. “We like it here actually, but [there is an] opportunity we have down south.”

Ramona’s family already operates a store in Red Deer, where they plan to move next, though she hopes to find work in Yellowknife after recently completing an accounting and payroll course in Toronto.

For Ramona, the best part of working at the restaurant has been the dedicated customers – some of whom order food for delivery every day, she said, helping the spot reach around 30 orders daily.