2 Restaurants Go 'Old School' With Pop-Up Markets In Los Alamitos

LOS ALAMITOS, CA — Two longtime Los Alamitos restaurants, The Original Fish Company and Katella Bakery-Restaurant-Deli, one renown for seafood and the other for baked goods and deli, have transformed in recent days into pop-up markets, akin to old-school grocers, now selling milk, eggs, produce and canned goods, alongside their signature menus, as they pivot to survive during coronavirus shutdowns.

With health officials' mandates restricting in-house dining, coupled with bar and winery closings, to combat the spread of COVID-19, many struggling local eateries are turning to takeout and delivery to stay in business.

Both Orange County establishments, however, took a different tack.

The eateries tapped their suppliers to order bulk supplies of grocery and pantry staples that may be impossible to find in traditional supermarkets during the current crisis, said Zac Rothman, co-owner of Rothman Food Group, operators of Katella Bakery, Deli and Restaurant in Los Alamitos, along with Fish Bar in Manhattan Beach. Rothman also is a partner in Los Alamitos' The Original Fish Co.

The three establishments, forced to suspend restaurant operations, now are operating pop-up markets and drive-thru services, selling their specialty menu items, along with the grocer products, and the result, so far, is encouraging, Rothman said. Refrigeration units were re-positioned from the rear of the businesses to the front to evoke a market vibe.

"We became a grocery store overnight," Rothman said, adding that the most rewarding component was patrons' response and, in turn, the sparing of some staff jobs.

"The most important thing was to do our very best to serve the community and to keep our incredible employees employed," he said.

Echoing numerous Southland restaurant owners, Rothman said this week's announcement for the food industry — takeout and pick-up only — "was a heartbreaking moment. It was such a terrible day cutting hours." But due to the move by Katella' Bakery and Original Fish Co., along with its sister restaurant Fish Bar, the switch to the well-trafficked, pop-up market paid off as several of the laid-off crew actually were needed and called back to work, he said.

Katella Bakery, Deli and Restaurant, 4470 Katella Ave. in Los Alamitos, is running its pop-up services and drive-thru from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., featuring milk, eggs, bread, bagels, canned goods, juice and its signature sandwiches, pastries, rye and challah bread. Place orders at 562-594-8611.

And at the affiliate restaurant The Original Fish Co., located at 11061 Los Alamitos Blvd. in Los Alamitos, hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the pop-up market and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for food to-go. Basic grocery needs can be purchased, along with chowders, fresh and frozen seafood, salads and sourdough rolls. Call ahead to get curbside service at 562-594-4553.

From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the "new" Fish Bar Marketplace, at 3801 Highland Ave. in Manhattan Beach, customers can call ahead at 310-796-0200 for takeout with curbside pick-up or order online for delivery. Details here.

RELATED:

• Restaurants To Southland: 'We're Dying Unless We Get Customers'
• Save A Server, Help A Restaurant: Order Takeout In O.C.

-------------------

ALSO SEE: 9 Activities To Keep Your Housebound Kids Entertained