Ex-Pen Bonvie to open cafe in Wilkes-Barre
The Times - Tribune - Scranton, Pa.
Author: DENISE ALLABAUGH
Date: Jan 13, 2009
Start Page: B.5
Text Word Count: 298

Document Text
Former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguin Dennis Bonvie has turned his attention from the ice to ice cream and cookies.
Bonvie, 35, the popular hockey player renowned for his on-ice fights, signed a five-year lease agreement to open a Blue Chip Gourmet cafe at downtown Wilkes-Barre's University Corners at South Main and East Northampton streets.
During a telephone interview from Canada on Monday, Bonvie said he was approached by Todd Vonderheid, president of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry, Mayor Tom Leighton and Bill Geary, managing partner of University Corners, about opening the business.
"The community has been so good to myself and my family. I looked at it as an opportunity to give back," Bonvie said. "It's all kind of new to me. There's opportunity downtown and there's opportunity in this business. It's something I look forward to doing and I will see where this takes me."
Since retiring from the Penguins last season, Bonvie took a job as a pro scout with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He lives in Canada and owns a townhouse in Swoyersville, which is now for sale. He hopes to return to the area soon.
Construction of his business will begin immediately and the cafe is expected to open the weekend of the St. Patrick's Day parade. Bonvie plans to return for the opening. He said he was looking for the right opportunity to "invest in the community that invested in me over the past nine years."
"I believe in the direction that Mayor Tom Leighton and the chamber are moving," Bonvie said.
Ohio-based national franchise Blue Chip Gourmet, which has locations across the United States, is famous for its gourmet cookies. Downtown Wilkes-Barre's cafe will feature ice cream, cookies and coffee as well as light breakfast and lunch items.
Credit: STAFF WRITER

Dennis Bonvie], 35, the popular hockey player renowned for his on-ice fights, signed a five-year lease agreement to open a Blue Chip Gourmet cafe at downtown Wilkes-Barre's University Corners at South Main and East Northampton streets.
"The community has been so good to myself and my family. I looked at it as an opportunity to give back," Bonvie said. "It's all kind of new to me. There's opportunity downtown and there's opportunity in this business. It's something I look forward to doing and I will see where this takes me."