Nido Kitchen & Bar
Oakland, CA
In October of 2012 Cory and Silvia McCollow opened the doors to their restaurant, Nido, which means nest in Spanish. This husband and wife team saw great potential in the Jack London neighborhood near their home in Jack London Square. They watched with interest as the area began to transition from a mostly industrial space to one with mixed-use buildings and high-quality restaurants. It was the perfect location for their Latin American inspired dishes created with local produce, and their bar that is both classic and innovative.
“We were referred to Main Street Launch by Dominica Rice, owner and head chef of Cosecha Restaurant in Old Oakland’s Swan’s market,” Cory said. “Nido restaurant would not exist without Main Street Launch’s lending and technical assistance support.”
Cory manages the business side of the restaurant, making use of the discipline and focus that he sharpened during his time in the military academy. Even now, with the restaurant in full swing, Cory retains his position in the Coast Guard and spends most of his off hours at Nido with his wife.
Silvia, who is the head chef, manages the kitchen and develops the menu. Her resume is a who’s who of East Bay restaurants. She worked with B Restaurant and Cosecha, and interned at Chez Panisse. Her food pulls from her experience in the industry but is also a nod to her family recipes—Silvia’s family comes from the Mexican state of Nayarit. Fresh ceviche, fish tacos, and turkey tamales are just a few of the flavorful dishes that Silvia serves.
With their $147,000 loan from Main Street Launch the McCollow’s made improvements to the restaurant space, purchased kitchen equipment and furniture, and obtained working capital. Cory said that as first-time business owners and a start-up business it was hard for them to find funding. “There were no lenders other than OBDC willing to give us a second look,” Cory said. “We needed capital to finance leasehold improvements as well as acquire equipment, furniture and fixtures, and the acquisition of start-up inventory and supplies.“
For Cory and Silvia McCollow, “Nido is about food, drink, and an overall good experience!” OBDC is proud to be a part of the nest of food, drink, and friends that Nido has created in Oakland.
