Continued from Page 8
“is a little bit scary. It’s a big job and a
lot of responsibility. A lot of customers
depend on me to make sure the food stays
the same quality. But it’s a lot of fun and
we’re just going to continue to build on
what we’ve been doing for years,” Gisby
said.
Continuity and consistency are indeed
the mantra of The DEPOT’s new own-
ers, Jeff and Casey Harrell, one they’ve
adopted from the outset. Gisby is a
minority co-owner.
“We want to keep the legacy of the
DEPOT,” Harrell said. The Harrells own
a chain of pharmacies on the peninsula as
well as Dylan’s Cottage Bakery in down-
town Long Beach. A self professed foodie
with experience in the hospitality industry,
Harrell saw the new business as an easy
decision.
Lalewicz and Gorshe have known the
Harrells for many years. So when the Har-
rells inquired about purchasing the restau-
rant, ”the stars aligned,” Lalewicz said.
To Harrell, the thriving, successful
DEPOT is not in need of revitalization
but rather enhancement. “We’re really not
coming in to change a whole lot,” Harrell
said. The plan is to upgrade some equip-
ment, including the payment system, and
convert the beer and wine bar into a full
one. “It’s not broken so we don’t need to
fix it, just to enhance it,” Harrell said.
As for the track record of winning
Readers’ Choice Awards year after year,
“it speaks to the staff’s expertise,” accord-
ing to Harrell. “They’re all proving they
are putting out a quality product, so the
awards speak for themselves to what
Michael and Nancy built. It’s not about me
and Casey, it’s all about the staff,” Har-
rell said.
Meanwhile, Lalewicz and Gorshe are
now adjusting to retirement. Lalewicz
plans to pick up his blues harmonica, golf
club and camera while Gorshe plans to
read as well as to continue her work in
the community, including as board chair
of the Ocean Beach Hospital. The couple
also plan to move from Ocean Park closer
to the restaurant so they can become reg-
ulars and to travel. A Paris style bistro on
the beach was Lalewicz’s original concept
for The DEPOT.
“It’s bittersweet,” Gorshe said about the
transition. ”Our employees and our cus-
tomers are our family. We were there for
them, for 19 years worth of Christmases
and New Year’s and Thanksgivings. And
everybody just was so appreciative that we
were here and I always appreciated that
they came in,” Lalewicz said.
LALEWICZ AND GORSHE ARE NOW ADJUSTING
TO RETIREMENT. LALEWICZ PLANS TO PICK UP HIS
BLUES HARMONICA, GOLF CLUB AND CAMERA WHILE
GORSHE PLANS TO READ AS WELL AS TO CONTINUE
HER WORK IN THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING AS
BOARD CHAIR OF THE OCEAN BEACH HOSPITAL.
Peter Korchnak
Customers Greg and Trudy Klefstad at The DEPOT Restaurant.
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2022 // 9