In 2021, a big-name trio pooled their energies and resources to launch a food-and-beverage concept blending whimsically creative seafood offerings with beers suited for sunny coastal weather. The brainchild of Wrench & Rodent Seabasstropub chef-proprietor Davin Waite, the owner of design-build firm CLTVT, Chris Slowey, and pro surfer (and poke enthusiast) Cheyne Magnusson, the business originally went by the name Shootz Fish X Beer and operated out of a tiny kitchen-and-counter setup in the corner of local bar and retail operation Bottlecraft’s location inside Oceanside’s fledgling Tremont Collective. Now it goes by the name Shoots, but that’s not all that’s changed.
After less than a year, during which fans of the founders as well as Bottlecraft regulars took quickly to the concept, Shoots expanded, opening a kitchen-equipped taproom in a stand-alone unit in the Carlsbad’s Village area. As part of another hospitality-and-retail collective, The Cottages, that satellite has grown into the brand’s flagship. Meanwhile, its Oceanside progenitor has continued to thrive, enough that, when Bottlecraft headman Brian Jensen approached Slowey about the possibility of Shoots taking over their shared unit, he was eager to explore the opportunity.
Fast forward several months and that deal is done. On Wednesday, August 20, Jensen will officially transfer Bottlecraft Oceanside’s ABC (California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control) license to Shoots, allowing Slowey and company to manage its 30-tap bar as well as the public space comprising its to-go beverage shop. When asked if that retail component will remain and if any changes are in the works, Slowey says that, aside from new exterior signage, fans of the venue should expect only minimal alterations under Shoots’ management.
“We want to be super-respectful. We’re looking to make as few alterations to the space or how its run as possible,” says Slowey. “The biggest difference, for us at least, is how much easier it will be for us to hold special events since we’ll have control of the alcohol component. We want to hold events that celebrate our local community, as well as surf, skate, art and music culture. The new ownership behind the Tremont Collective are very excited about re-energizing their event space, so we’ll definitely explore how we can work together on that.”
While Jensen approached the Shoots team about taking over the venue – one of four Bottlecraft locations in San Diego County and six total – he plans to stay involved with the business, serving as a consultant to help ensure an uninterrupted transition, while assisting with curation of beer, wine and other beverages. In handing the steering wheel to Shoots and taking a step back from Oceanside Jensen will also be able to fulfill his goal of applying greater focus on his recently opened South Park bar Bock.
“When we first opened in the Bottlecraft space, I’ll admit, the split-business concept was a little awkward, but the locals of Oceanside have rally embraced our concepts and helped us dial things in to make it the success it is today,” says Slowey. “The people here really get what we’re doing and this location has been very profitable for both us and Bottlecraft. We’re looking forward to keeping what we’ve both built going while adding some small dashes of what Shoots is all about along the way.”
Shoots Fish & Beer is located inside the Tremont Collective at 602 South Tremont Street, Suite 101 in Oceanside, and operates a kitchen-equipped taproom inside The Cottages at 2956 Roosevelt Street, Unite 2 in Carlsbad