San Diego Business Journal Interview with the Owners of Anthology
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 10:41
Power Couples: Marsha and Howard Berkson
By ANDREW SCHWEIZER
San Diego Business Journal Staff
Howard and Marsha Berkson are owners of Anthology, a restaurant and concert venue located at 1337 India St. in downtown San Diego.
MARSHA BERKSON
Company: Anthology.
Title: Owner.
Education: University of Iowa.
Birthplace: Chicago.
Age: Never ask a woman her age.
Residence: Carmel Valley.
SDBJ: How long have you been together?
MB: 23 years.
SDBJ: How did you meet?
MB: Blind date.
SDBJ: Your mate’s best quality:
MB: His calm approach to dealing with challenges. He would be a great mediator when he decides to slow down. I truly admire his integrity. I also love his spontaneity.
SDBJ: What’s your mate’s most annoying quality?
MB: He has a legal background so it’s hard to win an argument.
SDBJ: How do you stay together and still share the spotlight?
MB: Shortly after we first met, we started a home inspection business in Chicago and enjoyed every aspect of working together. We push each other into the spotlight — neither of us really likes it.
SDBJ: What do you do for fun?
MB: Family time with our two boys, and of course, I love to shop.
SDBJ: What do you like to do separately?
MB: He takes his “guy” trips and I take my “girlfriend” trips — that makes us miss each other.
SDBJ: Who’s the boss?
MB: He’s boss at the office. I’m the boss at home.
HOWARD BERKSON
Company: Anthology.
Titles: Owner and creator.
Education: B.S., Indiana University; J.D., California Western School of Law.
Birthplace: Chicago.
Age: 51.
Residence: Carmel Valley.
SDBJ: How did you meet?
HB: Blind date.
SDBJ: How long have you been together?
HB: 23 years.
SDBJ: Your mate’s best quality:
HB: Always has a positive outlook on life.
SDBJ: What’s your mate’s most annoying quality?
HB: Texting while driving.
SDBJ: How do you stay together and still share the spotlight?
HB: 24/7 communication, honesty and laughter, great hugs and lots of loving, mutual support and clearly defined boundaries — this is what you do and this is what I do.
SDBJ: What do you do for fun?
HB: Play in a rock ‘n’ roll band.
SDBJ: What do you like to do separately?
HB: Guy trips.
SDBJ: Who’s the boss?
HB: Not me.
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Click here for the San Diego Business Journal Article.
On a recent night out at Anthology, which has officially passed the new-restaurant-survives-downtown test, I watched spring turn to summer in San Diego. Perhaps it was the fresh-tasting, locally grown fava beans and cherry tomatoes served with my salmon. Perhaps it was the smooth saxophone of the house jazz band that serenaded the other diners. Perhaps it was the young, vibrant crowd.
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