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ammonia refrigeration system — a time when refrigeration was literally meant a large sealed room kept cool with large blocks of ice. Jim explained that for the longest time they couldn’t decide on what else to do with the extra space. To resolve their dilemma, they decided to follow the advice of their customers. “People had been coming in and saying that they wanted to be able to sit down in this place,” Jim said. “So we said, ‘lets put in a few tables and see what happens. We don’t want to pay for things twice, but if it doesn’t work out, we’ll just put shelving in [and turn it into a grocery store]. But so far, it has worked out real good.”
The Story Behind the Slavko’s Name
Slavko’s Harbor Poultry Co. was named for Jim Frelekian’s father, Slavko Frelekian. Before its incarnation into a restaurant, the shop was a place where chicken was slaughtered and sold to local markets and residents. Jim’s grandfather brought the family to the United States after World War I from Croatia. His grandfather arrived first, followed by his grandmother.
Before World War II started, Slavko had already opened Slavko’s Best Seafood, right across from the now closed Ramona’s bakery on Pacific Avenue — a block away from the Slavko’s building. He would supply fish to the Japanese American community that lived on Terminal Island at the time. His relationship with them was so close that he learned Japanese. When he was drafted, Slavko served as an interpreter in the Pacific theater of the war. “Dad didn’t buy the place until after World War II,” Jim said of his father, Slavko Frelekian. Slavko worked at Harbor Poultry Co. before opening Slavkos Best Seafood. After the war, Slavko went into business with Harbor Poultry with his brother. He eventually bought out his brother and brought on a new partner. Slavko’s brother bought Harbor Poultry and told Slavko that when he returned home, they would go into business together. “My dad, his brother, and his brother-in-law bought this place and they just kept selling poultry products.” Slavkos continued on page 16.
• Happy Hour • Iron City Tavern • 1/2-price appetizers & drink specials: 4 to 6 p.m. Mon. to Fri. 589 W. 9th St., San Pedro; (310) 547-4766 Ports o’ Call • Mon. to Fri., 3 to 8 p.m. Taco Tuesdays. Oyster shooter & bloody mary Wednesdays. Jazz it Up Wednesdays at 7 p.m. (310) 833-3553, Berth 76 Ports O’ Call Village, San Pedro San Pedro Brewing Co. • 2:30 to 6:30 p.m., Mon. to Fri. (310) 831-5663, 331 W. 6th St., San Pedro Whale & Ale • 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Mon to Fri., 4 to 7 p.m. on Wed. Late Night Happy Hour: 10 p.m. to Midnight, Fri. Only. (310) 832-0363, 327 W. 7th St., San Pedro Happy Hour Listings Are Paid Advertising
Presents
The 2013 All Member Exhibition June 8 thru August 18, 2013 NWS invites you to attend the reception for the 2013 All Member Exhibition to be held at:
The NWS Gallery 915 S. Pacific Avenue San Pedro CA 90731 Reception:
Saturday, June 8, 2013,
2 to 5 p.m.
Regular Gallery Hours: Thursdays through Sundays, 11 am to 3 pm. Additional Hours First Thursday, August 1, 2013; 5 to 8 p.m.
ACE: Arts • Cuisine • Entertainment May 31 – June 13, 2013
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