Small Business Spotlight: 21 Oak

Every local business has a story worth sharing with the community. And that’s the belief behind this exciting series — to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.

Business: 21 Oak
Owners: Shawn and Karin Dickensheets
Website: www.21oakmanchester.com

Address: 21 Oak Street, Manchester, CT 06040

How did you come up with the name?

It is the address and sounded kind of cool.

Why start a business in this town?

Karin teaches two miles away. This area needed a restaurant like ours. It just worked out.

What business are you in?

We are a vegetarian restaurant and serve all natural, mostly organic cuisine.

What’s the most difficult challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?

Getting started has been a little slow.

What’s been your proudest achievement since opening?

This article was recently published about us: http://www.ctnow.com/food-drink/hc-alacarte-21-oak-manchester-1001-20150928-story.html

How does your business give back to the community?

We do not have very much refrigerator or freezer space at all. We serve everything fresh. This has led us to buying produce from local farmers, and when we have a surplus we donate it to MACC.

Would you like to see your small business showcased in this series? Email wendy.mitchell@patch.com.