The name Sovereign , meaning free from outside influence , was chosen , and the restaurant opened its doors on July 4 , 2018 . “ We all had careers and worked for someone else , but inside this restaurant , we
Brandon Sheppard made the rules and ran it our way ,” Brandon , who still has a career as the director of facilities for the Museum of Arts & Sciences , says . Robyn is a medical esthetician for Advanced Dermatology .
In March 2020 , the Sheppard ’ s partnership dynamics changed , with Sergio Faenza stopping in . Folks in the area will recognize Faenza as co-owner of another delicious restaurant , Chucherias .
“ He has been essential in helping take Sovereign to its current form but still keeping the identity we stood for at the start ,” says Brandon . “ When Ryan and Robyn decided to step away in early 2020 , Sergio is who I partnered with to continue the business .
“ He was very hands-on –– upgrading our kitchen and adding a full bar to the concept . He helped set Sovereign up to grow quickly post Covid and continues to bring his expertise every day . If I am not at the restaurant , he is . “
The charming restaurant , located in a 1920s JC Penney catalog home with front porch and wrap-around courtyard , offers a progressive interpretation of cuisine from around the world and showcases a carefully curated raw bar highlighting an extensive selection of cold water oysters . But the menu has been one of 63 Sovereign ’ s biggest obstacles . “ I think one of the most challenging parts for us was to find the
right balance of cuisine ,” Brandon says . “ We are quite the eclectic restaurant , and it took us time to come into our own and to truly put out the product we knew would best represent Sovereign .
“ We have residents in Volusia that are truly wanting an elevated experience , but getting your name out there or getting into their normal rotation is extremely hard .”
Both Kenneth Grant Inzpirations and 63 Sovereign also say current challenges include labor shortages .
“ We are in a season of DIY , do it yourself ,” says Kenneth Grant Inzpirations ’ LaToya Carey . “ We understand that we will not always be here . It is just a season . When the time comes , our ‘ destiny helpers ’ will appear . We believe that we don ’ t even have to search for them ; they will find us .”
At 63 Sovereign , Brandon Sheppard says he and his team are pushing through , too .
“ There have been plenty of nights where either my partner or I are shaking cocktails , washing dishes or shucking oysters . We limit our seatings and are in constant control of reservations to be sure we can handle the right volume . We try to take care of the staff we have . We are very fortunate ; we have an amazing team that works so hard , shows up every day and kills it . They understand what the country is going through right now .”
Patrick Evans-Hylton is an award-winning journalist , having covering a wide variety of topics in broadcast , electronic and print media since 1995 .
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