After much deliberation Linda Hebert, Diane Hebert Phares and Diane’s husband Jack decided to sell their family restaurant. The family successfully operated Dupuy’s Restaurant and then transitioned to SHUCKS for a total of 32 years. Their hard work and dedication finally paid off. A much needed and well deserved rest was finally going to be enjoyed. However, the family would not have sold to just anyone. The family’s concern for their long time employees and their faithful customers was of utmost importance in closing the deal.
In walk Bert Istre and David Bertrand, both Abbeville natives and long time restaurant owners. Neither one of the gentlemen was interested in changing the tried and true recipes. Bert and David also knew that a large part of their success was holding on to the loyal employees that had served so well for so many years. A hand shake agreement was made and no menu items were changed and every employee stayed during the transition and throughout the entire first year of new ownership. To date, all key employees have remained and play important roles in the growth of the SHUCKS concept.
Bert Istre is a 1993 graduate of University of Louisiana at Lafayette in
Hotel and Restaurant Management. Bert paid his way through college by
joining the Louisiana Army National Guard. His battalion was activated
during Desert Storm and Bert served during that conflict. This
experience played a large part of the disciplined method Bert approaches
business. As owner/operator of Golden Corral Restaurant in Abbeville
from 1993 to 2007, Bert proved he has what it takes to run a successful
restaurant. Bert’s decision to sell Golden Corral and enter into a
partnership for SHUCKS Restaurant was not an easy one. However the
chance to control his own destiny with the potential of the SHUCKS brand,
gave Bert the motivation to make the move.
David Bertrand is a 1986 graduate of St. Joseph Seminary College in
Covington, LA. with a B.A. in Psychology. This followed three years of study
at McNeese State University in Business Management. David worked his
way through college in the restaurant business. David was surrounded by
incredible cooks his entire life. Few kitchens could compare to what
he eat daily with food prepared by his mom, Mary and dad C.J., and their
friends Laures and Beverly Lachaussee. The restaurant business is a
natural for David and indeed is his passion. While listening to his
description of the daily specials or menu highlights one can detect that
food and beverage are much more than merely his work, it’s his joy.
After opening and eventually selling two restaurants David saw the value of
the SHUCKS concept and wasted no time in acquiring the restaurant.
Bert and David along with their multi-talented staff are ready to take this concept to areas outside of Abbeville and of the state. If you are interested give them a call and bring authentic Cajun food to your area.