There’s a splash of sea green where the red and white of Kentucky Fried Chicken used to be on Main Street. That’s because Charlie “JR” Vest is setting out on a new voyage.
Vest began his restaurateur career in 1966 when his father opened the family’s first Kentucky Fried Chicken. Forty-five years later, Vest is now the head of the family business and has managed to make some pretty sweet lemonade out of some pretty sour lemons. Some corporate decisions forced him to take a chance and branch out from the franchise gig (though the KFC on Betteravia Road will remain open).
“When you are corporate, you don’t have a lot of choices,” Vest said of his previous restaurant.
Sharky’s isn’t part of a larger chain—it’s his own thing, and he’s enjoying discovering how to make it work as he goes along.
“[People] say I’m crazy to open a new restaurant in a recession,” he admitted. “I put money into people I trust.”
After working for more than 20 years with much of his management team, Vest has a lot of faith in them. They’re a big reason why Santa Maria has a niche fish and chips place.
“You hire the best people and get the hell out of the way,” he said.
The menu isn’t extravagant; in fact, Vest describes it as limited, but that’s not a bad thing.
“The further you get away from your main product, everything suffers,” Vest said.
The goal at Sharky’s is to do a few things and to do them very well. Though it’s only been open for a month, Sharky’s is already making waves. Several restaurateurs have complimented staffers on the quality of their food and the reasonable prices. For Vest, it shows him that they’re on to something good.
One of the things Vest is excited about with this new venture is the efficiency of the fish and chips joint. Where his KFC restaurants had to look ahead and try to guess how much chicken to cook, the fish and chips are made to order. As a result, the amount of wasted food is cut way down.
“Who knows?” Vest said about future plans, adding that he’s never owned a seafood restaurant before. “It’s just a great journey.”
Sharky’s is still a work in progress. They had a low-key soft opening and are still putting the final puzzle pieces in place. Still, Vest is extremely optimistic.
“In for a penny, in for a pound,” he said. “I have faith in these people to run a million-dollar store.”
Sharky’s is at 510 E. Main St. in Santa Maria. For more information, call 925-5595.
Highlights
• The town of Los Alamos is gearing up to celebrate the season—and its new merchants—at its third annual “Holiday Stroll,” set for Dec. 2 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Festivities include a bring-your-own wood bonfire, a tree lighting with carolers at Ferrini Park, Christmas readings, and gingerbread treats in several shops. Most Bell Street stores will be offering holiday cheer; Bell Street Farms Eatery will be serving complimentary hot chocolate, and Gussied Up Antiques will have popcorn balls with mulled cider.
Soup Santa will have gourmet soups for sale at Cafe Quackenbush, with Alan Freeman painting on site. The C Gallery will hold its annual trunk show of artisan gift items, while the Gentleman Farmer will have jam, preserve, and gingerbread tastings. The Union Hotel, with its newly opened restaurant, will offer holiday fare.
For more information, call 344-3807 or e-mail connie@thecgallery.com.
•Roemer Way Self Storage in Santa Maria announced it’s holding its annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway for needy families.
Participants are encouraged to submit a written paragraph and a photo of a deserving family to marketing@roemerway-selfstorage.com. Entries must be submitted by Nov. 20. Winners will be announced on Nov. 22.
Roemer Way Self Storage is at 330 Roemer Way.
For more information, call 347-9111.
Biz Spotlight was written by Intern Michael McCone. Highlights were compiled by Staff Writer Jeremy Thomas. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.
This article appears in Nov 17-24, 2011.