In and around Page

Community spotlight

Posted

By Antonia Muskat | Intern
Lake Powell Chronicle

PAGE – He dresses comfortably for work and always has a smile. Locals may know him as the manager of Slackers: Quality Grub or as a friendly face of Page.


Chris Shores has lived in Page almost his whole life, off and on, and has finally told his story. He was born in Phoenix and then moved to Page for the first time at the start of first grade 1966. He was the youngest of six children. His eldest brother passed on, but he has a sister in-law and a niece that he is close to and who he sees during the summers.


As a little boy he was always helping out around the restaurant that his family worked at, “The Empire House.” Many currently know the restaurant that takes its place as, “Great Wall of China.” He would bus tables when he was young (and not old enough to work officially) after school. He was eager to be a part of anything.


“The manager would just (kind of) look away and let me do what I was doing, but … when the owner came around, I had to leave,” he said, reminiscing about his childhood.


Shores had to move during high school and wasn’t able to finish school in Page. His parents had complications with their relationship, so he worked with his dad at an independent insurance agency in Phoenix but wasn’t happy with the job.


Shores mentions, “If you need to find something go find it, if you need to go do something with your life, go do it.”


When he left the agency, he came back to Page to find the job he loves – and he did. He bought Slackers: Quality Grub in the summer of 2008, formerly known as “The Sandwich Shop.” His wife Terri helps him run the place. She’s his consultant and sometimes helps out but isn’t a full shift employee. He calls her part in Slackers, the “financial aspect” and the “behind the scenes.” He talks about Terri with adoration as she was passing through the shop during an interview, “the love of my life.” Terri said she’s been through thick and thin with him.


After Shores moved back to Page, he got a job with river guiding under Aramark. He had been a river guide for about 20 years before moving up into the management world. He said he realized soon after that it was, “getting too corporate for me.”


When Shores packed up and left Aramark, he bought Slackers. He had bought the place from Jim Hunter, who had recently moved Slackers down to the strip mall in 2006. It had formerly been in place next to Safeway, where Subway and U-Swirl are now.


“2008 was very busy, Slot Canyons had taken off,” he explained.


Shores talked about how business was up and running as soon as he took over, and since then it had its ups and downs.


In 2009-2010, business slowed down because the economy dropped. Fast forward to present time and the power plant shutting down has caused a decrease in the economy.


Shores didn’t expect it to be this slow. He said deconstruction starts in spring.


“If business runs as it usually does (annually) then it will definitely get busier once it starts warming up,” he said.


 As of right now though, he has bumped down hours and cut Monday off. Slackers current open hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Fridays they stay open until 9 p.m.


In his job he loves being able to be comfortable at work. He said, “I haven’t worn a watch since I left Aramark.”


He believes that, if one can find a job that makes them comfortable or happy, then go for it. He said he gets satisfaction knowing that he and his employees try their best. They’ve donated to a lot of schools and organizations.


Of course, he knows that they are thankful. but he’s had handfuls of people come in and take the time to show their gratitude. Shores said that if his family had told him when he was young, he would be running a business for 12-plus years, he would accept that. He has been involved in hospitality nearly his entire life. The river trips he was on involved taking care of the passengers and giving hospitality to them – he’s used to it. And his one key of advice for the youth in the community, “don’t let life pass you by.”