Owned and operated by Brandon and Shawn Perry since 1998, the brothers have sold their Central Avenue restaurant and bar to Jacobo Gallegos of Tracy. The new owner said he plans to keep the downtown business the same, but wants to eventually add a nightclub to the venue’s second floor.
“I’m excited,” Gallegos said. “The restaurant will stay the same — same food. The bottom will be the same, as it is, and the second floor, we are planning to get a nightclub.
Gallegos said he doesn’t know when the club will open, however, as he is still working out the permit process with the city.
“I hope the time is right,” he said.
Having owned a Mexican restaurant in Chicago, Gallegos said he was looking for something to do after he moved his family to Tracy in May. He said he looked around and liked the downtown area, and learned The Great Plate was for sale.
“I wanted to get my own restaurant,” he said. “I was waiting for this month to get here, and finally (it’s here).”
Shawn Perry will stay on as a consultant to the new owner, but his brother Brandon said he is completely severing ties.
“When it came right down to it, right time to do it,” said Brandon Perry, who moved his family to Truckee last year.
“It’s bittersweet for me to be leaving the loyal customers and loyal staff,” he said, “but also starting something different for me and my family.”
A lover of the great outdoors, he said he and his family often vacationed in Truckee to ski and bike, and they decided it was time to relocate.
Sad to see his ownership of The Great Plate come to an end, Brandon Perry said he will miss meeting and hanging out with the locals who called the restaurant their second home.
Shawn said he isn’t ready to leave the business just yet, and he plans to help the new owner.
“I figure it behooves them to use some of my knowledge,” Shawn Perry said. “I’m no expert at it, but I have a track record. I want them to succeed.”
“I have mixed emotions on selling,” he said. “We’ve gone through good times, and gone through bad times; — uphill battle all these years. But we’ve done OK. It’s a home, neighborhood hangout for a lot of people.
“It’s tough — kind of hard (to leave) — but I’m not separating 100 percent. I’m going to miss it, but I’m still going to be around a little bit.”
According to Gallegos, the staff of eight full-time and 20 part-time employees will remain until further notice.
Marketing manager Mike Corbett, who also plans to stay on, said The Great Plate has a lot of potential to grow.
“I’m sure they have lots and lots of ideas that will be revealed later,” Corbett said. “I’m anxious to learn about it. Good things happening downtown … Plate will always be here.”
Although the former owners were unwilling to discuss sale details, BusinessesForSale.com listed The Great Plate’s selling price at $157,000. The deal also noted that the price was only for the restaurant and bar, and that the former owners would remain the building’s landlords and rent the builspaceding for $3,500 per month.
I am sure Mr. Gallegos would like to hear all suggestions and ideas to make the Great Plate a GREAT Destination.
As for the police reports - Tracy PD seems to use the Great Plate as a "Location" of an incident, not all of the problems reported are in or at the GP, possibly they could use the Grand instead?
We are all hoping to keep seeing Mike! Every visit is a party when Mike is "In the house". Our group will not be attending the Bean Fest if Mike's famous Beach Party is not there. Mike tirelessly puts on an amazing party, and other events for us to enjoy.
PLEASE! See you all Saturday and THANK YOU Mr Gallegos for your faith and support of Downtown Tracy!
I love the picture of Alexis and Mike and also The Mighty Detroit Red Wings on the TV there.
Good luck to Brand-O and Big Show.
-Fisher
This establishment brought vitality to downtown at a time when it needed it. Bean festivals, wine and beer strolls (back when we had beer strolls) wouldn't be the same without The Plate.
This city has watched The Great Plate evolve, as many businesses do. The owners made choices on the menu, the decor and the entertainment in an attempt to please the customer base. From what I've seen they have succeeded more than they've failed. The Plate is still here when other businesses have gone under.
At a time when we to encourage local business, let's welcome this change, continue to support this wonderful staff of hard working men and women and be customers, friends and guests of this local establishment!
As for the stoplight, I believe it's been set to flash red to make people stop. With the closed off section of sidewalk by the old Helm's location...the light working could cause some angst with crosswalks etc. I think the city "broke" it on purpose for added safety. Not sure though...I don't work for 'em.
I "have" given the Plate a chance, in fact two chances and each time was the same. Unless the new owner changes the venue, the reputation of the Plate will stay the same with the same regular customers. Now if he can survive on regular customers then more power to him but I will not step foot in that establishment again. There are alot of recorded incidents in the Police Blotter involving the Plate that confirm what many are saying. So you go ahead and continue to patronize the Plate and hopefully your name will not be in any of those stories.
I'm glad to see that open mindedness and acceptance of change is a trait that you two so openly embrace. The body's not even cold yet, and you've already convicted the new owners in your own little court of pubic opinion.
The upstairs has been open on Saturday nights with a live broadcast on 100.1 for the last 2 months now. Prior to that, it was open for special events. I can tell you from personal experience that when you walk into the upstairs, you feel like you're in a high class performance venue on par with many you'd find driving beyond Livermore or Pleasanton. Could the building and surrounding use some work? Sure it could. But all of downtown Tracy could. So before you open your cavernous pie holes and stink up the comments section with your negative vitriol, how's about we take a deep breath, take a step back and wait to see what happens eh?
If that's too hard for you, then please, PLEASE drive on over the hill. And take 205 so none of us will have to see you and your pompousness driving through town.
Scott Elliott
How was he able to purchase this place?
I will never go to this dump again. The place is dirty inside and outside. Clean the alley. Clean the gutters. Demand adjacent properties be clean. The area is squalid. Smokers suck! The food is lousy and will probably remain this way because the new owner wants to convert the upstairs to a nightclub, which means his focus will be toward attracting a younger crowd wishing to be intoxicated, who might enjoy a substandard meal.