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SOPA Restaurant in Pembroke: A Fresh Culinary Adventure

by | Sep 2, 2025 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

Luiana Mendes, owner of SOPA, the new restaurant delighting taste buds in downtown Pembroke, chats with Holly from OV Boss Babe about what it takes to make it in business.

Luiana Mendes’ new restaurant, SOPA, has officially opened on Pembroke Street West. Supported by RCCFDC, SOPA brings fresh, exciting flavors to the community. Her story is featured on the OV Boss Babes Podcast, showing her resilience and how local support made her vision possible.

A Fresh Chapter for Luiana and SOPA

For Luiana, opening SOPA is more than launching a restaurant; it marks a new chapter in her entrepreneurial journey. After moving to Canada and building a career in hospitality, she wanted to create a space that reflects her heritage, love for food, and commitment to the community.

Quote by Luiana pulled from the OV Boss Babes podcast reads: Failure is absolutely part of the process. It's how you learn to streamline something that didn't work before.

From Dream to Reality: RCCFDC’s Role

Every new business faces challenges, and SOPA faced its share. By working with the Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation, Luiana received guidance, resources, and encouragement. RCCFDC helped her bring her vision to life, from financing programs to hands-on business advisory support.

Quote by Luiana pulled from the OV Boss Babes podcast reads: [with RCCFDC] I didn't even feel like I was applying for a loan. It was literally a conversation with people who were supporting me.

SOPA Restaurant Brings New Flavours to Pembroke

SOPA embodies the entrepreneurial spirit in Pembroke and Renfrew County. Luiana’s journey demonstrates how determination, heritage, and community support can transform a vision into a successful business. By combining her entrepreneurial drive with her love of Portuguese and Angolan cuisine, she creates a dining experience that introduces Renfrew County to new and exciting flavors.

Luiana Mendes, owner of new Pembroke restaurant, SOPA, tells her story at the RCCFDC AGM.
Luiana preseting her journey at RCCFDC’s Annual General Meeting

Sharing SOPA’s Story on OV Boss Babes Podcast

In her interview with the OV Boss Babes Podcast, Luiana discussed the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship. She explained how RCCFDC support helped her build a unique business. Listeners gain insight into starting a small business in Renfrew County and understand the value of community connections.

Listen and Be Inspired

Discover more about SOPA Restaurant and Luiana’s adventure as a woman in business. Tune in to her full interview on the OV Boss Babes Podcast to be inspired and see how she turned her vision into reality: Listen here