FIESTA DE REYES GRAND OPENING!

Circus Performers, Musicians, and More

Planned in Old Town - Saturday, May 9th

 Celebrate the transformation of Old Town’s former Plaza del Pasado into the new Fiesta de Reyes on Saturday, May 9. The public is invited to the grand reopening from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Performers from Zirk Ubu, mariachis and more will perform during free festivities to mark the reopening of one of San Diego’s most talked about destinations.

Roaming performers, including stilt walkers, jugglers and giant puppets, will entertain crowds throughout Old Town San Diego State Historic Park from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. At 7:30 p.m. the avant-garde  Zirk Ubu will present an extravagant stage performance in Old Town’s central square called “Zirk Ubu’s Circus and Traveling Medicine Show.” The one-ring circus features Murrugun the Mystic, Mango and Dango, Asbestos the Clown, Flying Man, Bearded Woman, a bed of nails, sword swallowing, fire dancers, magic and illusions, electric mood alteration, mystical healing, phrenology, cure-alls, potions, aerial dancing and acrobatics.

Los Rios will perform throughout the afternoon on the Fiesta de Reyes stage. Regarded by many as the best mariachi group in Old Town, Los Rios blends traditional mariachi music with classic rock to provide an upbeat atmosphere. Classic Santana with violin instead of guitar, plus Kool and the Gang and Pink Floyd mixed in with mariachi chords put Los Rios in its own musical genre.

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is known for capturing the ambiance of California’s first European settlement at the time California was evolving from a Mexican pueblo to an American frontier town. The entire Old Town community is home to eight hotels, 35 restaurants, 85 merchants, 30 historic sites, and 18 free museums that include beautifully restored original adobes and recreated historic homes to showcase this era of the golden west.

Within Fiesta de Reyes, two restaurants have been completely remodeled and are now open.

Festooned with true 1850s California-style antiques, collectables and paintings, Barra Barra is a full-service restaurant and saloon with indoor and outdoor seating. The restaurant boasts all-you-can-eat Friday nights and its signature drink, “The Best Margarita in Town… For Only 5 Bucks.” Made with top-shelf Herradura Blanco tequila, agave nectar, fresh-squeezed lime juice and Cointreau, Barra Barra’s signature margarita will be priced less than half of what it might cost at another establishment.

Casa de Reyes, the courtyard restaurant in the center of Fiesta de Reyes, has been completely restored with a new carrizo arbor, an outdoor tortilla factory, mariachi stage and California hacienda décor. Casa de Reyes features traditional Mexican food, like homemade tamales, chile rellenos, sizzling fajitas and slow-roasted pork. Imported outdoor furniture, patio umbrellas and fire pits add to the festive atmosphere of the Fiesta de Reyes courtyard.

Quaint retail shops offering products from around the world surround the Fiesta de Reyes courtyard.  Guests can taste wine grown and manufactured locally or sample olive oil straight from the orchards in Temecula.  And one of San Diego favorite toy stores, Geppettos, is back to its original location in Old Town with all the same great toys and games.  Fiesta de Reyes also showcases locally made jewelry as well as a traditional Mexican bakery.  Beacon Artworks and Designs in Shell are also back by popular demand. 

Shops and restaurants, live musicians and local artisans demonstrating their artistic craft make Fiesta de Reyes a lively experience with a permanent party ambiance.

The new Fiesta de Reyes is located between Juan and Calhoun streets inside Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, a one-block stroll from the Old Town Trolley Station. Free parking is available at the trolley station.  For more information call (619) 297-3100.

Casa de Reyes is NOW OPEN!

After a hectic seven weeks we managed to remodel, re-do, train and open our premier restaurant, Casa de Reyes. The highlight of this experience has been the quality of our staff. I’d like to congratulate each and every member of the new Fiesta de Reyes Team for doing an outstanding job. Please visit us soon, we’re anxious for you to meet our new staff!

Thank you!

Chuck Ross

Barra Barra is open!

I am pleased to announce the opening of Barra Barra Saloon. After six weeks of intense renovations, redecorating, training and preparations, we opened our doors to a full house on Friday, April 17, 2009. The interior has been totally transformed into a warm and inviting space that celebrates our early Californio – Mexican Heritage. Beautiful Mexican artifacts, artwork, furniture and decorations adorn almost every inch of available space in Barra Barra. Beautiful hand painted equipale furniture, custom tin chandeliers and one of a kind art objects blend together for a truly unique ambiance. Amazing succulents and landscape features, including two fire pits and huge outdoor chandeliers, add warmth and charm to the beautiful patio dining area. 

The menu is a unique blend of homemade Indian Flatbread Tacos, Tortas, Combination Platters, Relenos, Enchiladas and Tamales. Chef Fernando’s house specialties include incredible Puerco con Anchiote, Sea Bass Vera Cruz Rosada and Chile Colorado. And, everything is reasonably priced!

We want to stay true to our name, Fiesta de Reyes, so fun is in everything we do. From “The Best Margarita in San Diego… for only $5 bucks” to Kids Eat Free on Monday’s, $2.00 Flat Bread Tacos during Happy Hour and our late night specials on Friday and Saturday, everything we do, we do for you! 

Lastly, I want to thank all the new members of the Fiesta de Reyes family, our new staff members, for doing a wonderful job. Excitement, friendly attitudes and a willingness to take care of each and every guest as if “you were a guest in our own homes” is an attitude we want you to experience. 

The remodeling continues at Casa de Reyes, and the results are spectacular, Please stop in and see the progress. New retailers are busy remodeling and are anxious to open.  Soon you’ll be able to shop at a new home goods store, select from 100’s of hot salsa’s and indulge in a variety of homemade cheesecakes and Mexican coffees, all while shopping and strolling around a beautifully remodeled Fiesta de Reyes courtyard.

Please stop by and say hello. We’re anxious to show off the new look, attitude and style of Fiesta de Reyes.

Chuck Ross

Remodeling Under Way

New Name and New Focus Announced

I am pleased to announce that remodeling of two restaurants within the former Plaza del Pasado in Old Town is now under way and soon there will be new attractions for locals and tourists alike.

Retail stores remain open while the restaurants are being remodeled. Extensive renovations are planned for the former Jolly Boy Saloon, to be called Barra Barra when it re-opens in mid-April, and Casa de Reyes, which will re-open in late April.

In order to obtain input for our plans in Old Town, we recently hosted a series of citizen’s advisory group meetings that included historical advocates, Old Town residents and members of the business community. Two significant results came out of those meetings: a new name and a new focus.

With the help of the citizen’s advisory group, we will focus on a more lively and festive atmosphere, historical accuracy, involvement in the overall Old Town community and the highest quality of goods and services. All of which I think will delight San Diegans and tourists.

The new name of the plaza will be Fiesta de Reyes, which means celebration of kings. Also, Maria de los Reyes y Banas de Dominguez was the matriarch of one of the most important families in San Diego history. Her eldest daughter married José Estudillo, one of the first mayors of the pueblo of San Diego.

To be festooned with true period and authentic reproduction collectables, paintings and antiques, Barra Barra will be a full-service restaurant and saloon with indoor and outdoor seating and will be marketed directly to local San Diegans with weekly specials and promotions.

The outdoor restaurant, Casa de Reyes, will be completely restored and will have a more authentic look and feel. A new carrizo arbor, festive umbrellas and California hacienda décor will be added as well as a tortilla display area, lighting and landscaping.

Barra Barra will have the Best Margarita in San Diego… for only 5 bucks! — made with top-shelf tequila and handmade mixes. Absinthe will be on special every Friday and Saturday night for $5. Weekly food specials will include authentic hand-made Indian flatbread tacos for $2. And, all-you-can-eat ranchero rotisserie beef, chicken and sausage will be grilled out front in the plaza every Friday night with dipping sauces and condiments brought in clay crocks.

We not only plan to serve San Diego’s best margarita, but we will offer exceptional specials to bring local patrons back to Old Town on a regular basis. Our culinary team will provide only the highest-quality food at reasonable prices.

Another draw will be a monthly Birthday Fiesta where locals can celebrate their birthday with a free fiesta dinner! Mariachis, dancers and other surprises will add to the festivities.

We look forward to seeing you at Fiesta de Reyes starting in mid-April and watch this blog for updates on our spectacular grand opening coming in early May.

Chuck Ross,

Old Town Family Hospitality Group

 

We welcome your thoughts, hopes and ideas, in fact, we encourage them. You are our most important connection with the community. Please share your thoughts with us by clicking on the word ‘comments’ below, then use the ‘leave a reply’ form.

Citizen’s Advisory Group Concludes

The third and final meeting of the Citizen’s Advisory Group for Plaza del Pasado was held the first week in March. More than 25 group members came with ideas and solutions for accomplishing various goals in Old Town. We broke up into groups and debated some of the more complicated questions (four to be exact) that all of us at Old Town Family Hospitality Group have been pondering.

I was quite impressed with the caliber of thinking that went into this debate and feel the discussion covered new ground. Here are the conclusions of the Citizen’s Advisory Group.

1. How do we balance our four priorities: fun/festive, historically accurate, Old Town community involvement, and price/quality/value?

i)      Activate the entire community and raise funds to make it all work. Enhance the financial standing of existing Old Town organizations so as to improve the historic experience in the state park.

ii)     Get private funds and public grants. Existing charities in Old Town should go after grants that could benefit the entire park. Get all stakeholders together and pool resources to make it all happen.

iii)    We need a cohesive marketing plan that blends the activities of the Old Town Chamber, charity organizations and concessionaires within the state park. We’re all headed in same direction so let’s focus our vision (let’s get all our websites linked together for example).

iv)   Increase the number of authentic, compelling activities and historical experiences – this is the driver that will help all things balance.

v)    Merchandise will reinforce the historic multi-sensory experience. Show historic items next to modern merchandise to show how things evolved from the past to the modern-day.

2. What are the top historical messages that we want to deliver to the public?

i)      Old Town depicts the conversion of San Diego from a Mexican pueblo to an American frontier town.

ii)     It is the embodiment of the hopes and fears of people who reinvented themselves in this era.

iii)    And this was a cosmopolitan, an international town!

3. What are the three charities that should benefit from a Plaza del Pasado Grand Opening?

i)      Boosters of Old Town, which will increase historical activities in the park

ii)     SOHO, which operates the Whaley House

iii)    Historic Old Town Community Foundation

iv)   Old Town Chamber

v)    The Chamber has a marketing committee; the Historic Old Town Community Foundation and Boosters of Old Town come to the Chamber board meetings. This is a potential group to implement these plans. Time and money are the only issues to getting it all done.

4. Are there modern amenities and events that would be appropriate in Old Town? 

i)      We need more live entertainment with amplification and nighttime lighting.

ii)     More live demonstrations.

iii)    July 16 is San Diego’s birthday. Let’s make it a huge celebration.

I am continually amazed at how much commitment and support there is for Old Town. The historical advocates, volunteers, residents and business owners that make up the community of Old Town have different opinions but are all working together to achieve the same goal: to make Old Town the No. 1 destination in San Diego. 

A great first impression will be our No. 1 priority at Old Town Family Hospitality Group. We have a good plan in place to make that happen. 

To all contributors of our Citizen’s Advisory Group, a hearty “Thank you.” The gift of your time has been incredibly generous.  I will continue to ask your help so that we all can nurture Old Town to become what we want it to be.

Chuck Ross,

Old Town Family Hospitality Group

We welcome your thoughts, hopes and ideas, in fact, we encourage them. You are our most important connection with the community. Please share your thoughts with us by clicking on the word ‘comments’ below, then use the ‘leave a reply’ form.

More Input From The Community

The second meeting of the Citizen’s Advisory Group for Plaza del Pasado was held the last week in February and 25 members of the community were there.  The lively discussion covered many topics and areas of concern.  In the interest of space, I have listed them below in bullet point format.

• People want the new Plaza del Pasado to be more friendly.
• Make it what a celebration would have been like in the mid-19th century.
• More music is requested, even when live musicians are not performing.
• A display on indigenous plants is requested.
• Incorporate Kumeyaay words into interpretive displays.
• Locals want unique stores in Plaza del Pasado.
• Old Town Family Hospitality Group and its professional staff should raise the standards for the entire state park and its non-professional staff and volunteers. The state should take the leadership role but Old Town Family Hospitality Group should be by its side as partners and continually raising the bar.
• It was noted that historic Williamsburg has a cohesive master plan but retailers at Old Town State Park submit their own interpretive plans, which means not everyone is operating on the same page.
• 6 million people visit Old Town State Park every year, more than any other California state park. Many in attendance felt strongly that someone within the state parks system should be in charge of the Old Town park as opposed to the current form of management.
• As the lead concessionaire, Old Town Family Hospitality Group should make a concerted effort to coordinate all concessionaires in the state park and activate the park by holding regular events.
• Plaza del Pasado and Old Town Family Hospitality Group should become active in the Old Town community and participate in community-wide events.
• Old Town Family Hospitality Group should share with the rest of the merchants in Old Town what it is doing as everyone wants to join forces to be more successful.
• Many in the audience recognized the constraints the state is under due to the current recession and some noted that volunteers and interns from San Diego State University are trying to fill the gap.
• Now is the time to change the name “Plaza del Pasado” and indicate a changing of the guard.
• Several in the group suggested merely “The Plaza at Old Town State Historic Park” so as to not confuse the public with different names and logos.

I look forward to continuing to work with members of the community to make Plaza del Pasado and the overall Old Town experience better for all the San Diegans who say they are disappointed with what has happened in recent years at Plaza del Pasado.

Chuck Ross,
Old Town Family Hospitality Group

We welcome your thoughts, hopes and ideas, in fact, we encourage them. You are our most important connection with the community. Please share your thoughts with us by clicking on the word ‘comments’ below, then use the ‘leave a reply’ form.

Citizen’s Advisory Group Meeting

The first gathering of our Citizen’s Advisory Group for Plaza del Pasado was held last week and I believe everyone in attendance would agree that it was a very productive meeting.  We had history experts in attendance as well as those who have made their living in the hospitality industry.  We enjoyed input from Old Town residents and business owners alike.

The primary point of discussion at our first meeting was the balancing of historical accuracy with the desire to have a fun and festive environment at Plaza del Pasado.  Everyone had an opinion on this matter and I was surprised to learn that the opinions of the historians were not that much different as those who would like to increase repeat business by locals in Old Town. 

In this column, I will do my best to sum up the feelings and opinions voiced by those at the first meeting.  All the input was valuable and is being taken into consideration as we move forward in our plans to reinvigorate Plaza del Pasado and make it something for which all San Diegans can be proud.

Most people in the meeting agreed that atmosphere and energy are missing at Plaza del Pasado.  One described the atmosphere by saying, “A fuse is out.”  Others pointed out that employees and concessionaires at Plaza del Pasado are vital to its future success.  Comments were made such as, “We need a human connection between people.”  Someone else added, “The restaurants must be a party and the employees have to be here for a party.”

Suggestions for incorporating history into the restaurants included food demonstrations that cannot be accomplished well during the historic tours held in Old Town.  It was noted that food preparation from the mid-19^th century is demonstrated on docent tours in Old Town now but that the food cannot be eaten as it is not prepared in a restaurant.  “Plaza del Pasado can bridge that gap,” one attendee said. 

Someone else talked about the physical environment at Plaza del Pasado and complained that the layout is disjointed and nothing draws you in.  Another commented that “we need to separate this space from any other in San Diego. Things that look different are what attracts the public.”

Many examples of color from the mid-19^th century were discussed as well as avenues to incorporate them into Plaza del Pasado.  But of primary importance to many was the need to make the food and drink at Plaza del Pasado memorable.

Our next meeting of the Citizen’s Advisory Group will be February 26.  If you have an agenda item that you would like to see discussed, please forward them to me at plazadelpasado@gmail.com.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to give your opinions and ideas on this blog and at our Citizen’s Advisory Group meeting.  Check back in two weeks for an update on what was discussed at the second meeting. 

Chuck Ross
Old Town Family Hospitality Corp

We welcome your thoughts, hopes and ideas, in fact, we encourage them. You are our most important connection with the community. Please share your thoughts with us by clicking on the word ‘comments’ below, then use the ‘leave a reply’ form.

Thanks For Your Input. We Want More!

I’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to my blog. I have been talking with a lot of people, learning about Old Town so that we can create a plan that makes sense for San Diego. My plan is to not recreate Bazaar del Mundo, or to continue on with what we currently have. In a way, each and every blog poster has been correct with your clear and very passionate comments. Repeatedly, I hear that we need to improve your experience in the restaurants and shops, and that many of you want a more “festive” experience. I agree. And, I also understand that we need to be very creative with how we remodel, re-brand and update the restaurants and retailers. This is an involved, and sometimes, complicated process. We’re working on trying to find the right combination of “color, history and ambiance” of which we can all be proud.

My desire is to significantly improve upon what currently exists, and to create excitement through what we do with the remodel, but also what we do with the food, beverage, events, programs, and specials that we are planning for Plaza del Pasado, Barra Barra, The Cosmopolitan, and Casa de Reyes. This is a process that needs to evolve… creating the right plan, obtaining approval from the appropriate State entities, and then executing the plan will take time. I am committed to incorporating as many ideas as possible into our plan, so please continue to submit yours.

Knowing what you expect is important, but providing specifics on how to accomplish that would be very much appreciated.

To that end I am in the process of setting up three Community Advisory Group Meetings over the next few weeks. Each will have a specific topic, and would provide an opportunity to discuss, in person, your ideas and suggestions. Please email a request to plazadelpasado@gmail.com if you would like to be considered for one of the meetings.

We are very optimistic about our future in Old Town, and we value your input and support in helping us to achieve our goals and objectives.

Thank you for not giving up on Old Town, and thank you for continuing to help us improve.

Chuck Ross
Old Town Family Hospitality Corp

We welcome your thoughts, hopes and ideas, in fact, we encourage them. You are our most important connection with the community. Please share your thoughts with us by clicking on the word ‘comments’ below, then use the ‘leave a reply’ form.

Things Are Heating Up At Plaza del Pasado

We are at the Park virtually every day now meeting with designers, historians, engineers and builders to bring our vision into fruition. It’s truly amazing how many people are totally taken up with the deep meaning and local significance of our plans to re-energize the Old Town experience.

A couple things of note: The corner entrance is on hold for awhile. It turns out that the exterior wall is historic, so we have to work with the State on a new plan.

We also have decided to not put the Galleria in the back of Barra Barra. We are working on a location for it and will report at a later date.

I would like to thank all of you who have contacted me via this blog, email and phone to show your support for what we are doing in San Diego’s Old Town Historic State Park. It’s nice to know that so many of you share our excitement and passion for this project.

That said, I would like to take this opportunity to reply directly to some of your comments:

To the Davis Family who are “looking forward to a wonderful new era in Old Town State Park in renewing a unique and interesting place for visitors and locals alike!”

We are very excited to be afforded the opportunity (and challenge) to bring out-of-towners and San Diegans back to the Park. Please follow our progress and come to the new Old Town when we reopen. And, tell your friends, too.

To Gary Sharp and others who wonder about the plans for Cosmo.

The Cosmopolitan Restaurant and Hotel will be well worth the wait. It will surely be a focal point for anyone visiting Old Town. That is our promise to you and the people of San Diego.

To Richard and others who wonder about the quality of food and drink that we will be offering at the restaurants.

Our new chefs plan are to provide only the highest quality food at reasonable prices. We plan to serve San Diego’s best margarita. And, we plan to offer exceptional specials to bring local patrons back to Old Town on a regular basis.

Allen H. wrote. “Old Town is the beginning (1769) of what is now western America – visitors and locals alike should have a place to learn, think and recreate. I am very excited about the restored “Cosmo” – a unique mix of the Mexican adobe building by Bandini and the newer, American 2nd story that has long been covered up.

Delaware North did NOT do what it was supposed to do with the historic aspects that many are complaining of. Heritage Tourism WILL draw lots of people if done correctly – see the eastern U.S., see Europe, see most American older cities where many many people visit.”

We agree. We accept that it is our responsibility to communicate the historic significance of the Park, educate visitors AND entertain everyone with top quality food, drink, music and more provided in a colorful and fun atmosphere – more like a fiesta every day than a dreary day in the mid-nineteenth century. Bringing color back to the Park has been of prime importance to us. Fortunately, our designers share our vision and I’m positive our visitors will be pleased and impressed.

Finally, we want all of you to know that we are listening to you. We want to make sure that we provide the best possible Old Town experience, so, please keep communicating with us – letting us know what you think we’re doing right and what needs work.

Thanks.

Chuck Ross

Our Vision, Our Mission, Our Plans.

 

I’m excited today to be publishing my first of many updates to the San Diego community on our plans for Plaza del Pasado. Below I’ve outlined the vision, mission and plans of the Old Town Family Hospitality Corporation – that’s the company I formed to operate this historic and beloved property. It’s our plan to restore Plaza del Pasado as a destination celebrated by both San Diegans and visitors. I’ve included a bit of background on myself at the bottom of this post, but first, let me share with you what we’ve got planned. And I look forward to hearing what you think and working with the community along the way. – Chuck Ross

Our Vision

The Park, frozen in the periods covering the transition from independent Mexico’s state of Alta California, through California’s statehood in 1850, to its early American roots (1821-1872) is a unique opportunity for out-of-town and local visitors to travel back in time to the place that was our roots. Our vision is simple: Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is meant to involve all visitors in a pleasurable, relevant, thematic, cultural, historical and interpretive experience in a combined effort with other concessionaires and California State Parks.

Our Mission

Our mission although simple, is much more challenging. It is to engage out-of-town tourists and re-engage local residents in dining and shopping opportunities, special events and interpretive presentations underscoring and synergistically supporting the cultural and historic significance of the Park and the missions of the California Department of Parks and Recreation and Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

Our Park

The fact is Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is truly our history, captured for us to visit as if it were alive today. What an incredible opportunity, certainly one for which we should be grateful. As San Diego residents, our Park is our legacy, and, as such, is also our responsibility to preserve and present to ourselves and the world with real pride and honor. The Old Town Family Hospitality Group accepts our share of this responsibility with honest respect and serious intent.

Our Plans

• Casa De Reyes will be remodeled with most of the effort in the entrance, the bar, the tortilla display area, lighting and landscaping. A new entrance on the NE corner of the Park (Juan St. and Wallace St.) will lead directly into Plaza del Pasado.

Expect to see a lot of changes on both sides of the gate to Plaza del Pasado.

Before: The new bar will be here.

Before: The new entrance to the Park will be here.

• Plaza del Pasado retail shops will continue to evolve, much as they have over the past year. New retail partners will be pursued with a focus on those who possess regional and historic ties with the intention to bring something new and historic to the retail mix. For example, we plan to actively look for a “chocolatier” to demonstrate the ancient Mexican technique of grinding chocolate with the traditional metate while providing hand-made chocolates to Park visitors. In addition, we plan to inject an interpretive element into every store visit and sale.

Before: Although most shops will remain unchanged,
many exciting new shops will come to the Plaza.

• Barra Barra, (formally The Jolly Boy) will be a period saloon. Both the menu and the decor will be addressed to present something more appropriate for the historic era as well as a restaurant experience that is more intriguing for Park guests. For example, the name, meaning simply “Bar Bar,” reflects the more generic (unbranded) establishment name typical of the period. Festooned with true period and authentic reproduction collectables, paintings and antiques, Barra Barra will be marketed directly to local San Diego with weekly specials and promotions.

An exiting new restaurant concept, Barra Barra, will replace the Jolly Boy.

• The opening of the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant will energize all of Old Town. A beautiful renovation, and an exciting addition to the Old Town State Historic Park, the “Cosmo” will be a must see for San Diego. The Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant will be as historically accurate as possible. From the moment visitors enter the building, they will feel transported back to the 19th century. This is one of the most important buildings in southern California and great care will be taken with its presentation to the public as an operating restaurant and hotel in a “living museum.”

The Cosmopolitan Hotel will be restored to become a pristine
example of architecture and an interpretive experience of the period.

• The Galería del Pasado will be located at the back of Barra Barra. It will be an educational and interpretive activity center where many of the mission-critical elements of the Park can come together for visitors to enjoy.
• We have planned a rich calendar of events to bring excitement and interest to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. In addition to traditional events and celebrations, we plan to include everything from a viable, self-sustaining weekly Old Town Farmer’s Market to interactive dinner theater in the Plaza del Pasado.
• Other Interpretive and educational elements are planned to really make the Old Town San Diego experience a truly relevant trip back into history.

These are just some of our thoughts, hopes and plans for the Plaza del Pasado and Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

We welcome your thoughts, hopes and ideas, in fact, we encourage them. You are our most important connection with the community. Please share your thoughts with us by clicking on the word ‘comments’ below, then use the ‘leave a reply’ form.

 

About The Old Town Family Hospitality Corp

Chuck Ross, the founder of OTFHC, is a long-standing member of the San Diego community with decades of experience in the hospitality business. Mr. Ross owns and operates South Bay Fish & Grill, a dining establishment that is a gem in the setting of San Diego’s South Bay. The restaurant and banquet facility features fine dining and more casual fare with an ambiance created by a unique collection of nautical antiques and yacht club memorabilia. Mr. Ross also owns San Diego Catering Concepts, a renown catering operation that has designed banquets to fit their customer’s needs for over a decade and a half. From the simplest barbecue or tailgate party to the most elegant wedding, SDCC provides complete catering services for corporate and individual clients throughout San Diego County. Among other organizations, Mr. Ross is an active member in the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce, Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce, South County Economic Development Council and Chula Vista Kiwanis.