History of Lookout Downtown
The Lookout started in Long Beach, as a dream of Rob Stinson in April of 2002. Rob had opened 25 corporate and independent restaurants in the New Orleans market, but all were owned by someone else. An opportunity arose when Rob was contacted by an old friend, who told him about a restaurant on the Gulf Coast that was for sale. Grover Robertson, a dear friend of Rob’s who has passed away always said: “Build your team Rob.” The first team was the group of investors: Joe Jefferson and Steve Huber. The next addition to the team was Denis Trochesset, who worked at Long Beach Lookout and quickly excelled through the ranks to the position of managing partner. The team grows on and on, Rachel Edwards, Cory Fazzio, Debra Williams, Ron Craven, Chad Henson and many more. Rob has said, “I am so proud of three young men, who started working for me at 15-16 as dishwashers, and after attending college have returned to work and are now all managers: Justin Simmons, Michael Sigafoose and Chris McLuckie!” The team goes on and on. Great workers at all three of our restaurants today, and hopefully this growth from within will be our formula for continued success.
Long Beach Lookout was in the third year of operation in August of 2005, and sales were great. As we all know now, Katrina smashed the Gulf Coast and life changed forever. Long Beach Lookout was gone, and so was just about everything else from the railroad tracks South. Devastating, horrible, catastrophic are just a few of the words used to describe the aftermath of Katrina. Insurance companies became a hated word after Katrina. Wind not flood, flood not wind, whatever the way out was, it seemed that insurance companies would use it so as not to pay the policies. Rob panicked. What are we going to do? Rob, Joe, Steve and Denis (now a partner) had just purchased the lease and rights of Long Beach Lookout. They had not even paid one note. Rob realized that they would have to find another location immediately and get back in business. Where? How?
Denis stayed on the Coast after the hurricane. Denis’s priorities were helping friends and family while attempting to gain some sense of normalcy. Rob had received notice from his Sysco rep that there was a possible location in Gulfport that could be the Lookout. Rob called Denis to secure the location the next day. 21 days later Lookout 49 was born. The team is the reason for the quick opening. Denis, Rachel, Cory and team worked day and night to renovate the location while Rob handled getting the myriad of permits necessary for a restaurant. The State of Mississippi was unbelievably helpful to local businesses trying to reopen. Rob traveled to Jackson and Hattiesburg, while Denis bought equipment out of state. Feeding relief workers, church volunteers and homeless families, Lookout saw many tears of happiness in the first days. Lookout 49 became an oasis in the dessert of Katrina. Although a temporary location as Father Louie said, “You’ve done wonderful things in the community with Lookout 49, you’ll be fine and stay to the high road.” Before Lookout closed, Salute and Back Bay were conceived.
Salute Italian Restaurant came next. The focus was to find a restaurant location where a lease was available for an extended time. Salute was designed and created and now is well established on the Coast as a favorite family restaurant featuring great local and Italian food and service. Rachel created the most popular bar overlooking the water and the rest is history. A local institution of great food!
Next was Back Bay Seafood Restaurant - Knowing that Lookout was closing, the team created a new neighborhood restaurant in a beautiful waterfront location in Gulfport to save some of their team, and hopefully provide some opportunities for advancing management. The era of Lookout 49 was over, so a new beginning of a totally new concept was born with Back Bay Seafood. Overcoming the BP oil spill, Back Bay Seafood has become a favorite amongst the locals and tourists alike.
Lookout Downtown is Born
A new Lookout!? Rick and Jack. Rick, committed to the development of the Downtown Business District of Gulfport, approached Rob about the need for a local, affordable steakhouse in the new and quickly developing district. Jack Krongard is a builder - Not just any builder. Rick asked Rob to draw out a restaurant, and Jack took Rob’s design and created a work of art by restoring a building built in 1903 to its original grandeur splendor! Lookout Downtown was born in the Spring of 2011, and with it a new team as well. Rob and team had never partnered with a builder and now have forged a team committed to the success of a great new concept. Brick walls, beautiful stained wood detail work, exhibition kitchen and so much more, Lookout is a new concept in a renovated historical building. We, the team of Lookout, Salute and Back Bay hope you try all of our restaurants and look forward to serving you.
LBR: Another addition? Yes! LBR, Lookout Banquet Room, has just opened in June of 2011 and is a magnificent room on the third floor of Lookout Downtown seating over 200 people. Catering has become a large portion of the business in all three restaurants. LBR will quickly become the ultimate place to have great weddings and banquets with really flavorful food and personable service.
Future growth in GCR, LLC (Gulf Coast Restaurants) the parent company of Rob, Denis, Joe and Steve is a safe bet, and you can find out about all the development's here on line at any one of our websites: