TheBuzz
TheBuzz
Kern Rogerson and Niki Myers Rogerson's popular eatery, watering hole and nightspot, Jaron's Restaurant Kailua, is no longer theirs, but it's being run by one of their own. Jaron’s bittersweet
path to successThe new owner/operator is Jim Mansell, hired as Jaron's general manager late last year. In spite of a lengthy resume in the food and beverage industry at the Kahala Hilton, David Paul's Diamond Head Grill, Hyatt Embarcadero (San Francisco) and the SS Independence to name a few, he's humbled by his predecessors and former bosses. They "helped me to make it a turnkey operation," he said. "It's something I never could have done on my own."
Financial troubles for the Windward restaurateurs began in August of 1998 after a sewer line collapsed on Hamakua Drive. That caused a gaping sinkhole fronting Jaron's and neighboring businesses, including other restaurants. Within eight months the business lost about $85,000, which the Rogersons attributed to the lengthy repair process replete with traffic problems, sewage stench, a sewer backup into the restaurant and structural damage.
The sewer problems beget money problems which beget tax problems which beget lease problems.
Kern Rogerson was facing a foreclosure that would put his employees out of work. "I didn't want to see all those who stuck by me lose their jobs," he said. A proposal that would have renewed his 10-year lease with a diluted ownership structure presented problems, he said.
He told Mansell, "I can't do this, but there's no reason you can't."
"It won't be a struggle for him," Rogerson said, "he doesn't have the debts."
The plan is to strengthen Jaron's position "as a place for grown-ups to go after the dinner crowd has taken off." Nightsound depends on the day of the week. Thursdays it's Hawaiian music, Reggae on Fridays and Saturday nights, bands to appeal to the 30 to 40-plus crowd. Sunday brunch, pau-hana and dinner patrons will be serenaded by acoustic acts.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com