E3 Co.

To the future!

In part one, we shared how E3 purchased the Lobster Shop in Tacoma. This month we'll find out how owner Jim Rowe has used his background to maintain the brand and grow it.

While Jim is the first to say he's not the person who should actually be in charge of running a restaurant on a daily basis, his background has led him to this moment. He got a degree in finance/accounting from the University of Montana. He moved to Seattle in 1985, got his CPA, and realized it wasn't a good fit for him. So he took a job at Holland America in finance and stayed for years. The company had a fully integrated tour experience in Alaska including day boats and hotels. Jim was particularly interested in the hotel restaurants. He was recruited to Consolidated as a finance guy two weeks before 9/11, and transitioned to president over two years, 2005-7. "I ran it for years. I was a business guy with a hospitality background. It was quite a change to go from a publicly held company like Holland America to a small family-operated company. I loved the Cohns, it was a great experience. When Ron decided it was time to go, I was the logical, and willing, choice to buy the business. Who wouldn't want to own The Met? I've always felt we have a growth opportunity with our existing brands and new concepts for us like the Lobster Shop. We have a strong brand and the last two years have proven it."

Jim Rowe at The Met

While exhausting, the pandemic has created some opportunities. A catering business has blossomed for E3 and that will continue to grow. Take out happened out of necessity, but Jim isn't planning to grow that. "It may grow organically, but we won't push it," he notes.

Another exciting opportunity they're involved with is a ghost kitchen enterprise in Boise, Idaho. You heard me. It's been open for a year and their role has grown over that time. "Someone built an app that allows for multiple concepts at one point of sale. If a family is getting together or a business is bringing in food for employees, not everyone wants to eat the same thing. The app allows them to order from any of the concepts, pay, and have it delivered all at the same time in the same app. We successfully have Elliott's and Wing Dome on the app. So E3 now manages the operation of all concepts. "We're quality control!"

Lobster and bisque at the Lobster Shop

Understanding what E3 is in order to maintain their brand (quality, service, community giving) is an ongoing process. At one point, they created a "slice team" that brought leaders at all levels from all aspects of the company to define (not redefine) who they are and what makes them great, then put it on paper. "What makes us great is in place, but if you don't define it, it can change. You wake up one day and find you're obsolete. We don't want that to happen. So much of what we do is art and science. As a server, you have to be you and bring that to the table. But if you aren't at that table in one minute of the guests sitting down and getting drinks ordered, you're not handling the science.

"We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I'm excited about what's coming and really excited about the Lobster Shop. We're going to take an iconic place and build on it. And I'm bullish on downtown Seattle. Who knows what the path and timing are, I just know I have confidence in this city."

Connie Adams/February 2022

Click here to read Part 1

E3 Co.

The Lobster Shop
4015 Ruston Way
Tacoma, WA 98402
253-759-2165

wp.lobstershop.com

The Metropolitan Grill
820 Second Ave at Marion
Seattle, WA 98104
206-624-3287

www.themetropolitangrill.com

Elliott's Oyster House
1201 Alaskan Way, Pier 56
Seattle, WA 98101
206-623-4340

www.elliottsoysterhouse.com

Wing Dome
Greenwood, Kirkland, Pier 56, Seattle Armory

thewingdome.com

Photos courtesy of the Lobster Shop/E3

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