Old Wharf Trading Co. hires new manager, looks to grow staff

Inga Hartmann (left), owner of Old Wharf Trading Company, stands with the new store manager, Rina Mitchell.

Old Wharf Trading Company, a clothing and souvenir shop on Stearns Wharf, recently hired a new manager.

Rina Mitchell brings a wealth of managerial experience to Old Wharf Trading Company. Her previous experience includes managing clothing stores, movie theaters and other retail stores.

“Rina has been a wonderful addition to our staff,” said Inga Hartmann, who owns Old Wharf with her husband Patrick Hartmann.

Since joining the team, Ms. Mitchell has assisted in implementing a new software program which has streamlined the store’s re-ordering process, Mrs. Hartmann said.

“Old Wharf is a wonderful place to work,” Ms. Mitchell said. “People are always happy when they walk in here. They are usually on vacation and relaxed.”

As the economy continues to recover and the Hartmanns look toward the busier spring and summer seasons, they will start hiring additional staff, Mrs. Hartmann said.

Old Wharf Trading Company, which has been in business on Stearns Wharf for more than 30 years, features a wide variety of gifts and decorator items, clothing, toys, books and more. For more information, call 962-4118.

Moby Dick general manager celebrates a decade at wharf restaurant

Miguel Flores—general manager at Moby Dick, a family-friendly restaurant on Stearns Wharf—celebrates 10 years at the ocean-front restaurant this year.

Mr. Flores grew up in Mexico City and came to San Jose as a teenager. He attended De Anza Community College and started working in restaurants as a bus boy. He moved to Santa Barbara on recommendation from a friend and got a job at Moby Dick after the same friend, who worked at the restaurant then, referred him. Mr. Flores started as a server.

“The minute I walked into the restaurant, I was in love,” Mr. Flores said. “It was early in the morning and still dark when I first walked in. When the sun rose, I said, ‘This is it. I don’t want to work anywhere else.’”

Now, 10 years later, Mr. Flores is general manager, managing more than 60 employees.

Under Mr. Flores’ leadership, Moby Dick has a re-vamped menu, with fewer, higher-quality options. All ingredients are local, purchased from The Berry Man, Inc., Jordano’s Foodservice, Harbor Meat & Seafood and the downtown farmer’s market, Mr. Flores said.

“Our business is better than ever,” Mr. Flores said. “We are breaking records.”

For more information, visit www.mobydicksb.com.