Today we’d like to introduce you to Ken Schneider.
Hi Ken, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In the fall of 2016 my wife, daughter, and I took a visit to New Orleans to see Tulane U. While we were there a friend of ours took us to a place called Wino. (wine institute of New Orleans). We loved it! We have never have seen anything like it, They had this automated self-serve wine system where you can pour yourself either a 1 oz taste a 3 oz half glass, or a 6 oz pour. It was a wonderful way to sample wines that you typically couldn’t do without buying a full glass or full bottle somewhere else.
It gave us a chance to taste what a $500 bottle of wine tastes like without having to buy the bottle. We were so taken by this that we decided to open something similar here in Charleston since it hadn’t existed. We had absolutely no food and beverage experience as my wife and I had other full-time jobs. So we spent the next 18 months trying to start this restaurant business. It was actually a fun experience but quite an eye-opening one. So, 18 months later we opened in June of 2018. The first six months were very difficult. We were fortunate enough to have other income streams that we could keep Uncork open during the trying times and until we figured out what we were doing, and how to actually do it. We went through a few operating partners and managers until we found the right person who would help bring our vision for Uncork to life.
Fast forward to January of 2020. We just started to hit our stride. We were building brand recognition along with a great product in Charleston. We starting to have a great month-over-month increase in revenues. Then came COVID! Like everyone else, it was very very difficult. We went from record months to literally nothing. No sales at all. We were forced to close to two full months. We paid everyone during the two months closure. We had some great employees and we did what was right.
In the middle of May, we were allowed to reopen at 50% capacity and business was surprisingly good. People wanted to get out of their homes. Just as we were optimistic that we would manage our way through the pandemic, May 30th happened. On May 30th Charleston was not immune to the social unrest that the rest of the country was going through.
We were open and a mob of approximately 250 thugs vandalized, looted, burned, and perpetrated violence to King St businesses ( the street Uncork is on) not seen since the late 1960s. Uncork was not immune. In fact, Uncork suffered over 60k in damages and was unable to open for another 30 days. We had massive damage, including fire damage and theft. Having survived this, we had put in some serious thought into just not reopening. But our son who happened to have been working the night of the riots talked us into sticking it out. He said, “we have come this far, let’s give it one last try.” So we did. We reopened (again) in June of 2020 and the outpouring of support from the town was wonderful. It really was wonderful to see how good people can be in comparison to how horrible they were on May 30th. It was very emotional and moving. The rest of 2020 was touch and go as it ebbed and flowed with Covid,
In 2021, we have experienced tremendous growth and we are so grateful for our management team, our patrons, and our fellow Charlestonians. As in any business, we can not do it without our wonderful employees. What started out as a simple come sip wine concept has turned into a full service restaurant.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Charleston is a foody town. You have to compete with some really good experienced restaurateurs. We had no prior experience except being frequent guests at many of these restaurants. Also choosing the right people to run a business for you is always a tricky thing.
As my wife and I both had other jobs and businesses already, we couldn’t duplicate ourselves and couldn’t be there very often. We tried and in the end, we had to be there in the early days because of our own doing. We simply hired the wrong people. It is hard for others to execute your vision.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Southern 888 is a company that falls under our group’s brand of businesses. Southern888 is the holding company for Uncork Charleston. What I am most proud of about Uncork is that through it all we have never cut service or quality. We have consistently provided our guests with the best possible experience we can offer. We take safety and cleanliness very seriously. I am so proud to see how we have grown and matured over the last three and a half years. We have several employees who have been with us for almost three of those years.
In the F&B biz, this means we must be doing something right. We are now hosting 2-3 private events every month, along with giving local musicians a place and platform to perform. Add to that our guests get to eat some really good food and taste some good wine makes me feel really good. We got into this business to serve people and offer them a fun and happy experience. My day job as I like to call it is running the world’s largest greenhouse gas options trading company. I actually get up at 2:40 am every day which is 7:40 am London time as I trade European Carbon markets. We provide liquidity to the world community who has to or wants to manage their environmental exposure.
I come from a group of investors who has had some success in life and who all live by a few simple mottos.
“Your word is your bond.”
” You are never wrongdoing the right thing” (pretty sure Mark Twain said that first).
“Pay it forward.”
My wife is now a retired physician.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
To define success in business, you always have to include the financial aspect. That is the metric that investors look at. But to me, one must also look at the quality of the product you are putting out, how you treat others, and most importantly how does this business affect others’ lives.
We are a place where people come to get out and enjoy themselves. We take great pride in the fact we can do this for others. Plus we have created 14 jobs for people where they have the opportunity to earn a real wage and support themselves and their families.
Pricing:
- Happy Hour 5-7 daily. Half off craft cocktails, 15% off all wine pours, and $7 small plates
Contact Info:
- Email: info@uncorkchs.com
- Website: www.uncorkchs.com
- Instagram: Uncorkcharleston
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkcharleston
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/uncork-charleston-charleston
- Other: https://resy.com/cities/chs/uncork-charleston?date=2021-09-17&seats=2
Image Credits
Josie Derrick
