An estimated $1,000,000 in renovations have already begun, restaurant will have a seafood, nautical theme.

By Allen Payton

According to a press release from the city, “The City of Antioch is excited to announce the sale of the old Humphrey’s Restaurant at the Antioch Marina in preparation for a new quality restaurant. Since 2012 the One Marina Plaza building, also known as Humphreys Restaurant, has sat vacant. At their Tuesday night Nov. 14 meeting the City Council voted unanimously to approve the sale of the property to Sean McCauley Investments, Inc. (SMI) for $1,200,000.

SMI is planning to renovate the building over the next several months and will be entering into a lease with RLW Properties the owners/operators of Zephyr Grill and Bar, who currently have two restaurant locations in Brentwood and Livermore. RLW Properties will finalize the interior improvements including an entirely new kitchen as well as a banquet facility for this unique waterfront establishment.

This acquisition by SMI will continue the revitalization of Antioch’s historic downtown.”

The sale includes both the building, which the city acquired a few years ago, as well as the land which the city has owned since the restaurant was first built.

Following the staff presentation by Antioch’s Economic Development Program Manager Lizeht Zepeda and Allan Walkin, a consultant who works with the city on real estate issues, Councilman Tony Tiscareno was the first to comment and ask questions.

“I know you’re doing everything that you can to improve the downtown,” he said to McCauley. “We’ve been frustrated with the marina, with the downtown area. For many years the downtown area hasn’t really moved as much as we want it to. I’m optimistic. There’s potential out there.”

“What happens if Zephyr’s doesn’t pan out?” Tiscareno then asked.

“The frustration you have, with the economic downturn, many cities experienced that,” McCauley responded. “Antioch is a little bit behind the curve.”

“If Zephyr’s doesn’t come in then we will find someone else,” he explained. “The problem with the building is it’s old. An operator isn’t a construction company. They want to walk into a place and say ‘OK this is my vision. This is what I want to do.’ When you walk into over there it’s kind of difficult to do. That’s the missing piece. This is why I’m here. I can kind of fill in that gap.”

“So, who do we get if Randy and Lynn (the owners of Zephyr) don’t come through?” McCauley asked responding to Tiscareno’s question. “I’m not really worried about it. It’s my $1.2 million that I earned. I’m not going to let it sit around.”

“You are going to make it restaurant ready for the most part for these folks,” stated Tiscareno.

“The only one you should be worried about is me,” McCauley said with a laugh by him and Tiscareno.

“I do to a certain respect,” Tiscareno said. “I want to make sure you continue to invest in this city and I know you’re doing that and also entice others. So, this is a starting point. I’m really encouraged. I really want to see this go through. I’m looking forward to dining out there.”

Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Thorpe then made a motion to approve the sale of the property and Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock seconded it.

“I’ve lived here five years and I’ve never seen Humphrey’s open,” Thorpe said. “So, let’s make something happen.”

However, before he allowed the vote, Mayor Sean Wright had one question of staff and McCauley.

“I’m excited to see you come in,” Wright said. “There’s nothing in the contract that I see that has any sort of non-performance clause. I know that you’re not worried about that. But, let’s say in three years you haven’t fixed it up. There’s nothing protecting the city from you sitting on this forever. Am I wrong, Allan?”

“No that’s correct,” Walkin responded.

“As we finalize this is there some any for us to have some sort of assurance?” Wright asked.

“No,” McCauley responded to laughter from Wright. “We need to do this deal now.”

“No, no. I’m not trying to push it off,” Wright said.

“Are you talking in respect to fixing the building up?” McCauley saked.

“Yeah, I’m talking in respect of fixing the building,” Wright responded. “You go in there and you go ‘you know what? This isn’t worth it to me.’ You know we’re a year from now we’re still sitting and it still hasn’t been fixed it up.”

McCauley projects there will be $1,000,000 in improvements to the building.

“As far as the building, we did pull all the permits already. We put the fencing up, today,” McCauley responded. “We have a delivery there of lumber. So, we’re ready to go.”

“I’m not trying to put anything on you that is encumbrant,” Wright said. “I mean if you don’t find a tenant I’m willing to work with that.”

“I think we’ll probably be done with the first stage of the construction which is what we really want to do is get the outside and the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance finished,” McCauley explained. “The outside façade, the decking, everything, the dry rot, everything refreshed, the landscaping. If we can engage with Zephyr between that time, great.”

“They’re very excited to be there, by the way,” he continued. “I’ve worked with them in the past, obviously so, I would rather have them there. But, I really want to make the first impression if another operator has to come in there, I want it a no-brainer for them. When you walk into that building and you see what it can be, it’s exciting.”

“Let’s get this done,” Wright responded.

“I just want to put everybody’s mind at ease,” Ogorchock stated. “If Sean McCauley Investments, if he says he’s going to do it, he’s going to do it,” Ogorchock said. “So, he will do exactly what he says he’s going to do. Every bit of my faith is in Sean. So, thank you, Sean.”

“Thank you,” McCauley responded.

Then the council voted 5-0 to approve the sale to applause from the audience.

Following the meeting, McCauley who owns other buildings in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown including the Old Casino Building next Waldie Plaza and the recently acquired Old Garage building on 3rd and H Streets, said he believes the opening of the new restaurant there will be “a key lynchpin to getting the rest of downtown improved.”

“Now all the hard work begins,” he continued, adding “We look forward to making it shine and last and getting the best operator, which I believe will be Randy and his group.”

“It will have a seafood and nautical theme,” McCauley added.

By Allen Payton

The Antioch Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for HD Burger & More, Thursday night, Nov. 16 to celebrate the opening of the new restaurant in Antioch. They opened in February and offer a variety of unique burgers including a lamb, Black & Bleu, turkey, and quinoa burgers, and the very tasty smoked brisket burger which was the favorite of many of the business and community leaders in attendance, including Mayor Sean Wright and Chamber CEO Richard Pagano, (as well as this writer).

“I am absolutely elated that you invited us to be here tonight at HD Burgers and super excited to try the burgers and fries,” Pagano said.

Presentations of official certificates welcoming the new business to Antioch were then made by representatives of Congressman Jerry McNerney and Assemblyman Jim Frazier.

Wright was next to speak, saying “Congratulations on opening and delivering delicious food. We hope to see you here for the next 5, 10 and 15 years.”

The name is a double entendre for both high definition and the first initials of the husband and wife owners Haroon and Dina Popal.

“Thank you to everybody at the Chamber of Commerce,” Haroon said.

His brother-in-law Wally Arakozie who works with them, offered his thanks, as well.

“I want to thank everyone for your support,” he said. “We would like to be a staple of Antioch and like to see us grow, and for you guys to be a part of it.”

In interviews on Friday, Dina and Haroon shared more about their background and why they opened their restaurant.

Fulfilling Their Dreams

Dina came to America from Afghanistan in the early 1990’s and went straight to work. She worked at the Smokehouse in Berkeley.

“I learned a lot from that restaurant,” Dina added.

She worked a variety of jobs while she went to school to be a medical assistant.

“But this was my dream,” she said.

Then Haroon arrived in the U.S in 1995. They met at a wedding not too long later.

“Haroon has a master’s degree as a telecommunications engineer,” Dina shared. But he ended up working in sales at Concord BMW for eight years, and was one of their top salesmen.

At one time, both of them were real estate agents with ReMax.

Regarding the restaurant, she said “people said I should open a franchise. But with one of them you’re stuck. I want to do something myself and make new burgers, new salads and new fries.”

“We tried to create something that isn’t in this area. Something for everybody,” said Haroon. “Vegetarian, beef, chicken, salads and seafood.”

“Everything is fresh,” he continued. “The burgers are larger with 6.3-ounce patties and certified Angus beef, and 100% California grown. They bring it fresh and we make it fresh. We serve good, quality food.”

That means there are no hormones or antibiotics in the beef. Their chicken breasts are fresh and natural, as well.

The Popals did all of the tenant improvements to the place themselves. They installed the tile and did the painting, as well to convert the restaurant from the Quizno’s that was there before to what it is, today.

“We are both handymen,” Dina stated with a smile. “People have been asking if this is part of a chain. They’re already asking if we are opening another location.”

That’s Haroon’s goal and dream, to eventually franchise.

“Over the past nine months we have been working out our system,” he said. “We’ve already changed and added some items to our menu.”

“I love America,” Dina added. “Anything can be possible if you’re willing to work for it. There is Opportunity you have here.”

The Popals have three children and their oldest Joseph works with them in their business.

The “more” part of their restaurant includes chicken, tri-tip, pastrami, Philly cheesesteak and fish sandwiches, unique salads, a variety of different types of fries including green bean and poutine (it’s a Canadian thing) fries, plus milkshakes, fried Twinkies and cookies, as well as draft beer and wine.

They’re located at 5019 Lone Tree Way, Suite A near Kobe restaurant and the City Sports health club and are open Monday to Saturday 11 am to 9 pm and Sundays from 11 am to 8 pm. Call in your order to (925) 978-9398. For more information about their menu items, visit https://hdburgerandmore.com/.

ORDER EARLY ~ ONLY 50 MEALS AVAILABLE

$140.95 Package Includes:

HOLIDAY GREEN SALAD

ROASTED CAROLINA TURKEY BREAST
4-5 pound (1 Whole Roasted Airline Breast)

ROASTED DARK MEAT
1 Pound

FRESH HERB ROLLS AND BUTTER
1 Dozen
BUTTERNUT SQUASH MASHED POTATOES
4 Pounds
ROASTED KENTUCKY GREEN BEANS
2 Pounds
CORNBREAD STUFFING
3 Pounds
CREAMY GIBLET GRAVY
1 Quart

Optional Additions:
PIES SOLD SEPERATELY ~ $9.00 each
(Pumpkin & Apple)

ADD SUGAR GLAZED HAM
3 Pounds ~ $19.95

ORDERS MUST BE IN AND PAID FOR BY NOVEMBER 18TH
12NOON

All food is freshly prepared and packaged for reheating. Meals MUST be picked up Wednesday, November 22nd and refrigerated until reheated
INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED

PLEASE CALL THE CATERING OFFICE TO ORDER
925.706.4232
or Order on-line here

By Allen Payton

Rumors circulating through Antioch this week, that Zephyr Grill & Bar will open a third location at the former site of Humphrey’s on the Delta, were somewhat confirmed Thursday night by Lizeht Zepeda, the city’s Economic Development Manager.

Asked if the rumors were true, Zepeda responded, “It’s an item on the November 14th council meeting, staff report should be posted on the website.”

However, the agenda including the staff report had yet to be posted on the City’s website as of publication time, Thursday night.

Zephyr Grill & Bar’s two other locations, in Brentwood at 613 1st Street and in Livermore at 1736 1st Street, have menu items which are hard to find at restaurants in East County, including free-range chicken, grass-fed beef and wild-caught fish. See more photos and information about their food on their Facebook page, here. The owners of Zephyr recently sold a third location in Seattle.

The city currently owns the building as well as the land, located at the Antioch Marina with the address of 1 Marina Plaza, and has been seeking a buyer or tenant since the former restaurant closed for business on December 24, 2012.

11/10/17 UPDATE: The transaction the Antioch City Council will be considering is the sale of the building and land for $1.2 million to Sean McCauley Investments, Inc. (SMI), a Brentwood-based business which owns other real estate in East County including the old Casino Building at Waldie Plaza in Antioch’s downtown, Rivertown District. It is item #4 on the council’s agenda. ACC mtg agenda 111417 – Humphrey’s sale Item #4

According to the staff report on the agenda item, “SMI has invested millions of dollars in development and revitalization of several blighted buildings, bringing additional businesses and entrepreneurs into downtown and other areas of Antioch.”

The staff report further explains SMI’s plans, which are a joint effort with the owners of Zephyr Grill & Bar, Randy and Lynn Tei.

“In an effort to bring the site back to a working restaurant, SMI submitted to the City a signed Letter Of Intent (LOI) between SMI and a restaurant operator for the site. The LOI (Attachment C) describes the operator lease terms, and scope of work between SMI and Randy Tei and his wife Lynn Tei, DBA RLW Properties (RLW) for the operation of a Zephyr Grill & Bar restaurant at One Marina Plaza. SMI will be doing extensive repairs and improvements to deliver a “vanilla shell” to the tenant, RLW. Once the PSA is executed the estimated timeframe for SMI’s delivery of improvements is about two months to complete. Additional work, kitchen and interior design will be made by the tenant after SMI completes their work.”

“RLW has over 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry. They currently own and operate two restaurants in the Bay Area, Zephyr Grill & Bar in Brentwood and Zephyr Grill & Bar in Livermore; Ca. RLW is committed to revitalizing the site and operating an elegant upscale restaurant. SMI was instrumental in RLW’s decision to launch this endeavor in the Rivertown District of Antioch. This will be their 3rd location in the Bay Area. They look forward to operating this 3rd restaurant for many years to come in Downtown Rivertown Antioch.”

However, according to Sean McCauley, owner of SMI, if the Tei’s become the tenant then it will have a different name than Zephyr Grill & Bar, so as not to compete with their Brentwood location.

“This has been in negotiation for over a year,” he said.

The purchase includes the land, as well as the building, McCauley explained. He estimates there will be about $1 million of tenant improvements needed for the restaurant to open.

The address of the restaurant may also change as the city has plans to rename L Street to something with Marina in the name such as Marina Way or Blvd. The new address would then be 1 Marina Way or Blvd., making it easier for people to find the restaurant from Highway 4.

The council meeting is at 7:00 p.m. in the Antioch Council Chambers at 200 H Street in historic, downtown Rivertown. You can also watch the meeting live on local cable channel 24 or via livestream on the city’s website at http://www.ci.antioch.ca.us/CityGov/citycouncilmeetings.htm.