“Working In The City” is The San Diego Sun’s feature Q&A series with downtown San Diego business operators. It’s a way to get to know the city by meeting the people who work here. This is the 22nd in an ongoing series.
Company: Verant Group (Downtown restaurants Barleymash, Smoking Gun, Hasta Manana Cantina and the Spill the Beans coffee shops).
Owner/Operator: Aron Langellier. Living in San Diego for 27 years. Reside in Del Carro. Been with the company for 13 years.
What happens here: We specialize in creating spaces that are everyday affordable and rooted in the local community. Our venues are driven by a mix of loyal locals, passionate sports fans and visiting tourists — but it’s the locals and hospitality industry crowd that have always been the backbone of our success.
Motto: Wake up, rinse, repeat.
Employees: Barleymash, 140. Smoking Gun, 55. Hasta Manana Cantina, 50. Spill the Beans, 22.
Finding staff: The biggest challenge is keeping great people engaged during slow parts of the season or on nights where conventions and baseball are absent.
Family business: Absolutely. We’ve grown up in this industry side by side — as operators, partners, and most importantly, as a family. We’ve worked together for more than two decades, and that bond is at the heart of everything we do.
Start-up story: We opened Hasta Mañana in May 2024. It was a location (310 Fifth Avenue) we had admired for years. When the opportunity came up we jumped at the chance to bring a fun, vibrant concept to that part of downtown. It was a bold move during a challenging time, but we believed in the vision — and we were excited to take the shot.
Best aspects of working downtown: The energy and excitement of large crowds, hotels, professional baseball and large concerts.
Worst aspects of working downtown: Battling the reputation of the Gaslamp Quarter amongst the locals.
Regular customer(s): Mikey is probably the most iconic figure at barleymash. He is energetic, fun, and always in his spot.
Most surprising part of working downtown: Realizing how it compares to other vibrant urban centers across major cities. We see a tremendous opportunity to further invest in what should be one of San Diego’s greatest entertainment zones. The Gaslamp is vital—not just to our business, but to the cultural and economic heartbeat of the city.
Funniest downtown work memory: When one of our sous chefs made the manager’s cake pops for April Fools Day, but they were meatballs instead of cake.
Scariest downtown work memory: When the protests were going on downtown during Covid.
Big event bumps: Our business thrives on big events. Whether it’s a playoff game, a sold-out concert, baseball season, or a holiday weekend — these are the moments that drive energy, foot traffic, and sales. In the Gaslamp, we live for the buzz of a packed calendar. Big events are the heartbeat of our operation.
Parking: We have ample parking downtown but the cost recently doubled. We are hearing a lot about the prices. We need to consider affordable alternatives for guests.
Homelessness: The homelessness crisis has deeply affected the perception of the Gaslamp among locals. Without the support of our local community, our businesses lose their identity and energy. We constantly hear feedback about the challenges guests face—whether it’s the imagery they encounter or the discomfort that disrupts their experience. It’s a tough reality, and one we need city leaders and stakeholders to prioritize if we want to protect long-term vitality.
Business friendliness of the city, on a scale of 1 (easiest) to 10 (hardest): Without getting too specific, it is incredibly difficult, timely and costly. How can the city be more business friendly? Streamline the permit process and get the doors open as quickly as possible so concepts can contribute to the financial success of the city.
Favorite downtown business that isn’t yours: Ace Hardware. Pam and Harry are amazing neighbors that are always willing to help. There’s nothing like having everything we need a block away!
Celebrity sightings: To name some favorites, Michael Jordan and Hulk Hogan! One of the biggest perks of being downtown is the opportunity to host a wide range of incredible guests — from athletes in town for Padres games, to musicians playing nearby venues, to celebrities and creators here for Comic-Con and other conventions.
If your business starred in a movie, what would it be called: On the House – A Story of Family, Foundation, and Late-Night Walkouts.
Best insider tip for running a downtown SD business: It’s not for the faint of heart. It’s seasonal, unpredictable, and heavily dependent on outside forces—from tourism and events to city policies. It’s tough, but if you can weather the storm and build something lasting, it’s incredibly rewarding. The goal isn’t to survive—it’s to become an institution. SDSun
