Oregon Coast Waves Vol 1.3

smaller quantities, Local Ocean pays the boats more than the big buyer
down the road. “It’s not a bad thing. We buy smaller quantities to keep
it fresher, and we pay the boats a more reasonable wage. We’re doing
our part to keep those fishing families going in these times. It’s tough,
the fishing community has lost a lot of their market,” Bixler said of the
pandemic that saw restaurants fold, or, as Local Ocean has done, adapt
and even thrive.
“Over the last two years, we had to come to the conclusion that volume
isn’t going to do it for us. At some point, we have to look out for our
staff as well, taking a good look at our business model,” he said. Rather
than the traditional restaurant industry business model relying on tips
from customers to support their service staff, Local Ocean is trying a
new model where the tip is included in the bill.
“We’re paying a much higher wage hourly, so (wait staff) is not relying
on getting a good section or hoping for one table that tips better.”
It evens the scale, he said. “We’ve given everyone across the board a
wage increase with the goal of making it so everyone who is a full time
employee here can afford a two-bedroom apartment.”
Bixler said the program, implemented in early July, is working well.
“The team works great, and everybody is happy to get paid to do the
work they’re doing and not have to rely on the whims of the season or
travelers who aren’t used to tipping.
Local Ocean offers inside dining, take out and fresh fish at the counter
daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., though winter hours may change. A Dock
Box, a complete meal kit program, has had good reception, Bixler said.
Dock Boxes can be picked up in Newport, delivered in Lincoln County
and destinations in Corvallis and Portland.
“Even though our restaurant business is way down from previous years,
we’ve been able to keep everyone fully employed during this time,”
Bixler said. Local Ocean provides 50 local jobs.
When the restaurant first closed, the unemployment system was
overrun, and several employees didn’t get benefits, Bixler said. “Our
adaptation was to bring food to people, all the ingredients to make the
recipe at home. That kept our staff employed through the pandemic.
“We came to the realization quick that this isn’t going to go away
anytime soon,” he added, “Local Ocean not just adapting but taking
advantage of this time to adapt ourselves to the long run.”
LOCAL OCEAN SEAFOODS
Location: 213 SE Bay Blvd., Newport, OR
Hours: M-TH: 11am – 8:30pm F-SAT: 11am – 9pm
Phone: (541) 574-7959
Website: localocean.net