So, what's in a name? The birth of The Shed

In the last issue of The Loop, I wrote about the true history of the building and business known to so many as The Apple Shed, now known as The Shed. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t get questioned about what my plans are for this beloved building. I am always eager to discuss what I have in mind, but I am really blown away with all the rumors that are circulating about what I’m trying to do with this place.

Sports bar, strip club, night club, biker bar, the list goes on and on, and they are all false. What is true is that we are going through major changes and they take time. The kitchen here is so small that I am amazed that we can, and do, feed as many people as we do. It really is a testament to my cook staff. The kitchen was set up to serve sandwiches and a basic light menu. We are in a major need of expansion and it is in the works.

We have been developing new menu items unlike anything else here in Tehachapi, but we cannot implement the new menu until after the kitchen expansion. We just don’t have the facilities to accommodate that level of food preparation, yet. We hand make so much of our menu that we really need a kitchen that is three times larger than what we have now. A much larger hood and a whole new cook line is in the works, as well as the addition of craft beers on tap and possibly, a full bar. That does not mean I’m opening a bar. We are a full service restaurant and want to be able to offer our customers the option of a cocktail with their meals.

The gift shop has been removed so that we can add some more tables and chairs and possibly a waiting lounge. We are really focusing on the restaurant and want to cater mostly to locals as, let’s face it, we all live here in this town and you are the people that I see daily. I really could not look at myself in the mirror if I turned my back on my town and went after the tourist dollar. I’m sure in the future we will have a few local items for sale, but it will be limited and probably food based.

This adventure that my wife and I have started is really starting to take shape. We have been in contact with local contractors and we are moving forward with our ideas. The construction will not be starting anytime soon as we have a lot to do before then. When we do finally start it though, we will be closed for a while as the renovations do not allow us to stay open during that time. We are all excited to begin the changes but we also know that it takes time.