“It’s not the money. I could care less about that. It’s the support they [the customers] give me and the love I have for them.”
Coastal Kitchen owner Forest Gary will celebrate the three-year anniversary of his restaurant at York River Crossing, Hayes, on Saturday, Sept. 20. An anniversary party from noon to 6 p.m. will take place in the parking lot of his restaurant.
“We’re doing a dunk tank, live music, face painting for the kids, free ice cream, dollar hot dogs; two-dollar hamburgers grilled outside,” said Gary.
Over the past year, not much has changed on the business side of things; however, Gary took a moment to acknowledge the loss of Doug Bristow, from whom he bought Coastal Kitchen in 2022. “I miss him every day. He was a strong, strong mentor for me, for this restaurant.”
As the new year rolls in, Gary plans to downsize his menu, simplifying it, and in two years, he plans to retire from the restaurant business. “It’s 48 years I’ve been doing this, so it’s time to retire,” he s...