Recovery Spotlight – 1910

by Angie Kay Dilmore

Andrew Green and his popular restaurant 1910 have endured much the same challenges as most dining establishments over the past two years – navigating a global pandemic, followed by a myriad of natural disasters, difficulties in recovery efforts, staffing shortages and supply chain issues. But Green persevered and now 1910, along with his other establishment, Fire & Oak, have reopened, much to the delight of SWLA diners.

After COVID-19 restrictions were put into place, 1910 closed completely for a couple weeks. Lunch service ceased for a couple months! Green got on board with to-go food via delivery and curbside pickup to remain viable. “One thing that did work for us was to sell ‘family meals’ with sides and shareable proteins,” Green says. He sees one business positive that came from the COVID-19 experience. “It forced us to get lean. Before COVID, we were an ‘overweight business’, meaning 1910 had too much waste, too many menu items and too many wines, too high food and wine costs, too many employees, and open too many days of the week. COVID prompted us to trim the fat, lose the weight, and gave us the opportunity to operate in the leanest form possible.”

Hurricane Laura blew a hood vent off 1910’s roof, allowing rainwater to damage the building’s interior and equipment. Hurricane Delta inflicted further water damage. After waiting 12 months for a contractor to “finish” the repairs, 1910 was left with holes remaining in the walls and floor. Green “found a guy on the side’ to complete repairs and is still in a legal battle with his insurance company. But 1910 reopened for business late last month. Other than a new ceramic tiled floor, the place is much as it was before. The menu is the same, as well, minus the foie gras.

Fire & Oak, a fine dining establishment in South Lake Charles, was still in the pre-startup stage when Hurricane Laura swept through, then Delta caused substantial water damage. Repairs were completed in three months.

Green says he is happy to have both establishments reopened and invites patrons to come.