Centrally Grown returns under new management
The new management and staff at “Centrally Grown at Off the Grid” were to have held a “soft opening” for the business Wednesday, Oct. 5 or soon thereafter. The ocean-view, hilltop compound of restaurant, market and various sales booths had been closed since early 2016.
As was the case before, the new enterprises are at the extensive site at 7432 Exotic Gardens Drive, just off Highway 1 on the north end of Cambria.
The operation’s new management (reportedly from the Black Cat Bistro), have thus far declined to comment, but a business website and Facebook page announced the Oct. 5 date, which was labeled there as a “grand opening.”
Because managers are still in the process of training dozens of employees, a soft opening without much fanfare probably was the actual, initial plan.
The announcement at www.centrallygrown.com was headlined, “Centrally Grown at Off The Grid Grand Opening, Oct. 5, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.”
The text said, “Centrally Grown at Off The Grid (formerly Centrally Grown) is under new ownership/management and will be opening on Wednesday, Oct 5, 2016. Come and join us for the opening!! Downstairs will be the Cafe & Market, opening at 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Upstairs will be the beautiful Restaurant & Bar, opening at 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.”
Apparently, the business plan is to be similar to what Centrally Grown founder Dave Robertson had at the site for about a year: A casual dining area downstairs, selling breakfast, lunch and retail items, and a more formal area with bar upstairs, where dinner will be served. A market, bakery-pastry counter and wine area presumably still are part of the plan.
Among the first hints about the regeneration of the business was a help-wanted ad several weeks ago on Craigslist. The ad recruited part-time “enthusiastic/energetic/experienced servers, bartenders, barbacks and baristas to work in a nice environment surrounded by magnificent views.”
Kathe Tanner: 805-927-4140
This story was originally published October 5, 2016 at 10:22 AM with the headline "Centrally Grown returns under new management."