The Tickled Pear, which Homerites may have seen around the Spit in its food truck form, celebrated its grand opening Friday in its new permanent location in the Water Rudders building overlooking Beluga Lake.

Open year-round from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Monday (though hours are subject to change), the restaurant sits above local floatplane operator Beryl Air and offers both seating indoors and outdoors on its walled-in deck.

A permanent location means The Tickled Pear can hold more seating and serve more people regardless of the weather, owner Ashley Steiner told Homer News.

“The food truck was great, but weather was a real issue,” she said. “Now we can stay open all the time. If someone wants to rent out the restaurant for a private party, we can do that now as well.”

The Tickled Pear’s from-scratch menu offerings include “tacos, tortas, and more.” Water Rudders, featuring The Tickled Pear, also offers local beers and wine. For the future, they’re looking into providing meads from both of Homer’s meaderies, Odin and Sweetgale, according to Melissa McKelvey, who works at Odin and is also employed at The Tickled Pear.

“Ashley likes to carry local things, support local businesses,” McKelvey said. “She works with local farmers as well.”

Steiner started The Tickled Pear in 2018, opening and operating out of a food truck on the Spit that May. She also began offering year-round special event catering and private chef services in 2019, according to The Tickled Pear’s website.

The restaurant experienced a high turnout during Friday’s grand opening, with customers coming in steadily and often forming a line from the front counter to the door. As McKelvey took orders at the register, Steiner worked in the kitchen with her sister, Adrienne, and two of their cousins who came to help out.

The high turnout was expected, McKelvey said. “Everyone was very excited (about the opening). We’re happily busy.”

“I’m really grateful for the community of Homer, for their support,” Steiner said. “We hope to serve them well in the future.”

Visit the Water Rudders building featuring The Tickled Pear at 1308 Lake Shore Dr. For more information on the restaurant and chef, or to view their menu, visit thetickledpear.com.