GULF SHORES, Ala. Sept. 11, 2022 – Continuing a beloved tradition, the Original Oyster House restaurants closed the Sunday after Labor Day for its 33rd Annual Employee Picnic. Employees and their immediate families and friends were thanked with a private family fun day at Waterville USA, door prizes and a spectacular lunch served by local food trucks. At the picnic, employees generously donated to Prodisee Pantry, a faith-based non-profit community ministry providing emergency food and disaster relief in Baldwin County.
As everyone gathered at the pavilion, the general managers took the opportunity to honor our 9/11 heroes and share words of appreciation. “The pandemic postponed our employee picnic for the past two years. We appreciate you all, especially with how hard it’s been with COVID. We want to thank all of you for your hard work during such difficult times. Thank you for being the best employees in the world,” said Jim Harrison, general manager of the Mobile Causeway location.
After a group blessing, Jim Harrison, general manager of the Causeway and Bud Morris, general manager Gulf Shores announced the longest employed staff members. The list included names and years of service by location. From the Mobile Causeway location employees included Cedric Hudson – 36 years; Roderick Marks – 31 years; Margaret King – 28 years; Norman Abrams – 27; Karen Taubel – 25 years; Dre Lawson – 25 years; Jim Harrison – 24 years; Tobie Rogers – 23 years; Christopher Johnson – 23 years; Levorn Jackson – 20 years; and from the Gulf Shores location: James Nail – 28 years; Dennis Saddler – 26 years; Buster Burns – 26 years; Kim Jeffers – 26 years; Bud Morris – 20 years.
Before closing the festivities, 2 grand door prizes were drawn from the employees who attended. Fun prizes were inside a large waterproof duffle donated by Buffalo Rock, and included a night stay at Harrah’s Casino donated by IHeart Media, several gift cards donated by Colonial Life and BCBS of AL, swag donated by Cox Media, Tshirt and Mug donated by the trading Company and more.
The Original Oyster House has become the “must-go-to” place for great fresh Gulf seafood, service and Southern hospitality and for its panoramic waterfront sunsets. A top-spot for hand-shucked and fire-grilled oysters, the Original Oyster House has also become legendary for its homemade gumbo, cheesy grits with blackened shrimp, as well as handcrafted desserts including its famous Peanut Butter Pie. In 2016, the Original Oyster House became the first restaurant in the state of Alabama to recycle oyster shells through the Alabama Coastal Foundation and in 2018, the restaurant became one of the only restaurants to grow oysters for the Mobile Oyster Gardening Program. In August of 2022, an estimated 19.2 million oyster shells have been recovered from participating Gulf Coast restaurants.
The Original Oyster House (OOH) has two locations, Mobile: 3733 Battleship Parkway, on the Causeway and Gulf Shores: 701 Gulf Shores Parkway on the Original Oyster House Boardwalk. Both locations offer spectacular waterfront views and have been celebrated as the area’s finest family restaurants. For more information please visit www.originaloysterhouse.com.
Cedric Hudson (center) of the Mobile Causeway Original Oyster House is the longest tenured employee of the restaurants. Cedric is pictured with from left Jim Harrison, GM of the Mobile Causeway and Bud Morris, GM of Gulf Shores.
At the picnic, employees generously donated to Prodisee Pantry. Pictured receiving the donation is Neil Beasley, program manager of Prodisee Pantry.
