The owner of Coastal Kitchen Forest Gary, known to his customers as “One Man Show,” can be seen working solo most of the time in his restaurant located at York River Crossing in Hayes.

As his business is quickly approaching its two-year anniversary next week, he spoke about his love for Gloucester and his loyal customers.

“I love Gloucester and I love my customers,” said Gary. “My customers are like family to me.”

He has been in the restaurant business for almost 43 years and he is originally from Newport News. He has lived in multiple different counties in Virginia and lived in Kentucky for eight years.

Gary has lived in Gloucester for the about four years and has loved every bit of it. He spent two years of it running his restaurant and about six months of it working at Coastal Country Kitchen. He originally started his business after Doug Bristow sold it to him, later changing the name to Coastal Kitchen when moved the location from Point Shopping Center to its current location in York River Crossing.

“I love it. I am up here at 6 every morning,” said Gary. “I open at 10, but I do prep. I make homemade chicken salad, homemade potato salad, cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, everything is made from scratch.”

Gary’s specialty items are burgers, sandwiches and subs. Every item on the menu is made from scratch down to the condiments and the burgers are fresh cut every day and never frozen.

“That’s why I have the customers I have,” said Gary. “My regulars are regulars for a reason, because they want home-cooked food and that’s what they get.”

He serves a limited brunch menu from open to close as well as lunch. He also serves desserts such as ice cream and cannolis. For this month only, customers get a free scoop of ice cream in a cone or cup with a meal purchase if you eat inside.

One of the things that he always ensures his customers is that they will always leave full.

“They come in and they are hungry, they will not leave here hungry,” said Gary. “They will leave here full guaranteed.”

His business is pet friendly and customers can bring their pets and eat outside in the outside eating area. He also has treats and water bowls for your cat or dog.

With about three years left on the lease at his current location, his plans are to retire and return to Louisa, Kentucky, to run his new business full-time that he will officially be opening in March called Burgers, Burgers and Fries.

Coastal Kitchen is open Monday through Wednesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Gary will celebrate his business’s two-year anniversary by hosting the second annual Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 26, in the parking lot in front of his restaurant.

Games and activities will start at 10 a.m. with a dunking booth, spacewalk, photo booths and more. Meet and greet with Mickey and Minnie Mouse starts at noon and Trunk-or-Treat will start at 1 p.m.

There will be performances by Bubba Ward from 2-3 p.m. and Joshua Shane from 3-6 p.m. Admission is free.