Palmer Trinity School

personality for the restaurant/bar life than the retail industry. A pandemic and a few years later Randy's portfolio now consists of five restaurants and three bars, with two of them in hotels. Inspirations Randy attributes many of his restaurant concepts to creative and historical inspirations. He "loves to design and implement concepts where people can create memories." All of Randy's restaurants have a common thread of bringing back history and taking the position of storytelling through food and beverage. At a young age, Randy designed a Jean shop next to his family's department store, which is now Lost Boy Dry Goods. Even though his family's department store is no longer, there are still pieces of its essence within Lost Boy, such as Randy's grandfather's safe and his father's hat rack. Randy says that "it is important for [his] restaurants and bars to have historical connections that enable memories and storytelling to take place." During Randy's time at Palmer Trinity School, he was both a saxophonist in the band and a football & lacrosse player. Randy talks about the influence playing this instrument had on him at such a young age, taught by Dr. Douglas Jordan. Randy believes he was one of Dr. Jordan's very first students at Palmer Trinity School. He attributes much of his blend of both creativity and organization to being a part of the school band. "There is a delicate balance in playing music comprised of following structure yet applying art. I find it is a very similar combination that works well in the culinary business." He also fondly remembers his football coaches, Coach Dave Hewett and Coach Don Cramp, and their endless life lessons and proverbs. Restaurants Randy is especially proud that his restaurants all follow the ethos of storytelling through historical contexts and creativity. Lost Boy Dry Goods is a former denim shop where a majority of the decor is old family heirlooms, Fox's Lounge has been a Miami staple in South Miami since the 1940s, Tropezon on Espanola Way is named after the one bar that was in his grandfather's hometown in Spain, the Mayfair Hotel is an iconic Coconut Grove establishment where his restaurant concepts draw from both the Bohemian and Bahamian heritage of the neighborhood. Randy remarks that "though all of the bars and restaurants are very new in their openings, it's exciting to see people enjoying the spaces and getting to experience creating stories of their own." Advice Randy advises those looking for a career path to search for something they feel passionate and connected to. In regards to the hospitality and restaurant industry, Randy says "If you have a passion for it, it is an incredible career path. It is a very gratifying industry, and you work with and learn from amazing and talented, creative people." 55

• Cover