Building The Local for the Local's!

I have always had a passion for the culinary arts. Starting in the industry at the age of 15 washing pots at a restaurant in Virginia Beach, I worked hard to learn everything I could and work my way up. I took Culinary in high school and competed to win a small scholarship that took me to Johnson and Wales where I refined my skills and boosted my education into the arts. I knew that one day I wanted to own my own restaurant and offer culinary creations to everyone. I also knew that in order to do so I had to round out my career and gain as much experience and culture as I could. So I spent the past 20 years living from Massachusetts to Key West then out to Hawaii and back to Virginia. Working in all kinds of establishments including hotels, catering, independent restaurants and corporate dining. Even working as a fishing mate in the keys and also as a sales manager for a craft brewery. No matter what I did, I always wanted to create my food on my own terms and offer a unique dining experience to everyone willing.



In September of 2008 I married my wife, Tyler, who is from small town on the Eastern shore of Virginia ocalled Cheriton. Over the last decade my wife and I have lived for the experience of life and shared dreams of owning and operating a business together.



My wife Tyler, would often fondly share memories about her childhood  growing up on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. She would tell me about playing in the Chesapeake Bay, riding bicycles with her best friend around Cheriton, roller skating in her grandfather's hardware store then going next door to Paul's for an ice cream cone.


In 2016 our beautiful little Lucy was born and it was obvious that we had to bring her to the Eastern Shore to grow up and create her own childhood memories much like my wife's. When planning the move from Florida to the Eastern Shore I was able to make contact with the current owner of the location that was once the well known Paul's and made an agreement to rent the cafe counter space and prepare my creations on a rotating menu. Ironic that I would now be fulfilling my dream in the location that was a part of my wife's childhood.



In November of 2016 we packed up and brought our family to Cheriton to begin our future. The very same weekend we arrived I went right to work to make my dream come true at The Local.
I started by serving breakfast and lunch in a rotating menu that changes every weekend based on local ingredients and inspirations of my creativity that I may find through any aspect of life. 

Since we have arrived I have been fortunate to garner a local following and positive remarks about the food and services. I have truly enjoyed getting to know everyone and look forward to growing with the community and helping to restore the town of Cheriton.



We have come to a point where we would like to expand The Local by serving beer and wine as well as opening up for dinner service. However, we need funds to renovate and expand!



We are asking for assistance so that we can:
Renovate the old kitchen space in the back of the building:
-Refinish existing walls
-Update Plumbing and Electric


-Repair hood exhaust and fire supression


-Add equipment to increase onsite services as well as catering
-Place a small aquaponics system to provide fresh produce all year long

We would also like to remodel the inside dining area to provide more efficient services:
-Add gas line and equipment to counter
-Build a seperate bar area for beverage services
-Update lighting to provide a better ambiance experience

Then to provide more means for people to find us and assist the county in the drive to build upon tourism on the Shore:
-Add website with online store
-Create and print marketing materials such as rack cards to be placed at locations throughout the Shore 
-Add signage on the highway to help drive people into Cheriton

We would also like to make our way around the Shore and come to you by:
-Adding to our catering profile and useful equipment to accommodate events
-Participate more in community events and help to grow them
-Assist the Town of Cheriton with their community  events to help bring awareness to the town and revive a once flourishing community. #cheritonrevival

With renovation and expansion we will be able to offer more catering operations as well as work with the town and county to provide services and help expand charity events.
These funds will mean a future for The Local and my family on the Eastern Shore which there is no gratitude great enough that we can show. It is our goal to become an intregal part of the Eastern Shore of Virginia and to teach our lovely little Lucy the importance of caring about and giving back to the local community!