by Monica Chamness
Staff Writer
When Charlie’s Grille on San Marco Boulevard moved to the Westside, Giovanni and Kala Perrone saw the vacant space as a new opportunity.
Now called Stacks All American Grill, the Perrones were seeking a career change. The couple wanted to continue working together, without a cubicle wall separating them. He was employed as a dispatcher and she handled customer service. Operating a restaurant seemed promising. Little did they know.
“Charlie’s sold and the guy who came in here ran it into the ground and then left, so he resold it to us,” said Kala.
“It took us a month to renovate,” added Giovanni. “All the equipment had to be cleaned and recalibrated. There was water damage on the back walls; we had to put in new carpet, add exit signs and lighting. We hired a crew of four guys to scrub the kitchen. It took them eight hours to clean the grill and oven because there was so much food piled beside it. We had to tear out the cabinets and there were dead cockroaches everywhere, even behind the paneling. The whole place had to be repainted.”
According to Giovanni, it took 20 gallons of paint for the job. They even had a mural of the city painted on the dining room wall. After all the elbow grease, customers familiar with the old environment expressed disbelief that it is the same place because it’s so clean now.
Getting started in a new trade is never easy. Fortunately for the Perrones, they have friends and family in the restaurant business who provided them with guidance.
Sal Perrone, Giovanni’s brother, operates Nutrients Plus in South Florida and is a partner in the venture. And before the restaurant opened July 1, a friend of Sal’s visited the site, serving as a consultant. A delicatessen situated in an industrial park was their first choice but the deal never jelled. Still, the Perrones are satisfied with their second choice.
“I’m pleased with how San Marco has progressed,” said Kala. “It’s got that community feeling. In the beginning, sales were what we expected and it has been a little slow with school starting but the breakfast crowd is picking up.”
“It’s not bad but the overhead is high,” added Giovanni. “We were thinking about a limited menu for dinner. There’s potential there. Our long-term goal would be to franchise.”
Crowds from HabiJax and the Peace Corps have already dined at their tables. Because of a lack of parking, their main customers have been workers in the surrounding buildings. Stacks can seat 47 people, but only has five parking spots available. If the City can finalize plans to route trolleys through San Marco, the situation may be alleviated. Until that day, Kala and Giovanni will continue to solicit those within walking distance.
Staples such as hamburgers, sandwiches, salads and daily specials comprise the menu. Most popular is their chicken Caesar salad, followed closely by their hamburgers. Kala and Giovanni are assisted by a waiter and food prep person. Another friend helps during the lunch rush.
“It’s a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere that serves quality food at reasonable prices,” said Kala. “We would like to see ourselves as a Cheers, where everybody knows your name, but we also wanted a family atmosphere, so we don’t sell beer or wine. We already have regulars. The only complaint we’ve gotten is how much food they get. Our portions are oversized.”