- November 21, 2024
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Carlos Soldevilla has been running restaurants in town for over 12 years. But his 5-year-old son comes first, he said, and he's recently made the decision to sell his latest business, To Better Days Wine and Bistro in Ormond Beach.
"Businesses come and go," Soldevilla said. "Money comes and goes. He's 5 just once."
The Ormond Beach restaurateur opened To Better Days in January 2021, and his business will mark its two year anniversary on the 21st. The bistro — which combines a wine bar experience with a small restaurant menu for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner — has been successful for Soldevilla, who previously owned and operated La's Bistro from 2010-2020. However, after a difficult divorce, Soldevilla said that now that he has equal shared custody, he wants to make sure he can be present for his son CJ.
"As I told my attorneys and the entire staff: I'm fighting for my business, I'm fighting for my son," Soldevilla recalled. "If at any point, I've got to make a choice between the two, it's going to be my son."
But he wants the community to know To Better Days isn't closing — it will just have a new owner.
He's looking for someone that will take care of the bistro the way he has, he said. Soldevilla listed To Better Days for Sale at the end of November 2022, and said the idea buyer would have a passion for wine and be a "people person." The whole concept of his business, he said, is to encourage people to slow down, enjoy moments and savor some good wine and food. Soldevilla is also selling a food truck.
"I've built a strong team here, and they're capable of running this place without me," Soldevilla said. "So whoever walks in has a fully-trained staff."
Soldevilla said his real estate broker told him that he'd never had a client who wanted people to know they were selling a business.
"Well, I'm proud," Soldevilla said. "I've had a great run in this town. Ormond Beach has been great to me."
Plus, he said he won't be going far. He's a resident, and looks forward to having the time to take his son to events like Movies on the Halifax at Rockefeller Gardens and perhaps getting the chance to coach a soccer team, if his son decides to pursue the sport. Maybe he'll even swing by the bistro as a customer this time.
When some of his customers see the for sale sign at the door, Soldevilla said, he's immediately asked what is going on. Soldevilla said he then explains his reasoning and pours out just a taste of wine for himself. He thanks them for their support and proposes a toast — To better days.
"I realized that I must lead by example," Soldevilla said. "So I'm going to teach [my son] how to enjoy every moment and savor and celebrate everyone. Every day is a win."
