Scott Stout’s restaurant experience began over 40 years ago in 1979 when he was hired as a prep and grill cook at York Steak House. A year later he landed his second restaurant job at Milton’s Pizza as a prep, cook and pizza maker. After high school graduation in 1981, Scott went to work at Newport News Shipyard while still working nights and gaining his vast restaurant experience at Milton’s. Because of his dedication and loyalty, the owners offered Scott the opportunity to move to Richmond as an assistant manager of two Milton’s, one in downtown Mechanicsville and the other off Laburnum Avenue in Henrico. In 1983, the name “Milton’s Pizza” became “Gus’ Pizza,” after the owner at the time. In 1985, Scott was offered the head management position at the Mechanicsville store and soon after met his wife, Lisa Catlett. Almost seven years after Scott began working at Milton’s in Virginia Beach he proudly bought the Mechanicsville Gus’ restaurant outright on January 1, 1987.

Lisa (Catlett) Stout met Scott in 1986, shortly before he acquired Gus’ Pizza. Right away, Scott sensed how much of an asset she would be to the restaurant during a severe snowstorm in January 1987. Scott’s wait staff was absent due to the storm, yet the night would be busy and Lisa managed the entire restaurant floor by herself to help Scott through the night. Lisa married Scott and has been a powerful and glowing attribution to the success of Gus’ Italian Cafe. Scott and Lisa, together, with the help of great friends and staff, have paved their own legendary path in historic Mechanicsville, Virginia.

Danny “Bubba” Shores began at Gus’ Italian Cafe in 1988 as a dishwasher and soon after moved into the prep/cook position. After a three year leave beginning in 1989, Bubba returned to Gus’ in 1993 as a prep/cook. 15 years later, in 2008, Bubba became the back end kitchen manager and Scott’s “right hand” man. Bubba is a master at each in house recipe and is a presentation perfectionist. His own crab cake recipe has been a most popular item for decades.

Brittany is an undeniable attribute and natural to the family business. She is the first born to Lisa and Scott. Brittany grew up in the Gus’ environment, picking up on how and why everything worked. As a child she would bissel the floors, wipe tables and roll silverware to help the employees. At age 13, she started earning her first paychecks as a hostess, then, at 17, she moved to waitressing. Her calm, cool and professional attitude, along with early teachings of proper managerial qualities, warranted her a sure spot as a bartender when she turned 21. Brittany has taken some leave while having children, however, she has always stayed focused on what is best for her family’s restaurant and bar.

Charlie was hired by Scott and Lisa in November 1994 as a dishwasher and busboy. A year later, he began waiting tables and on busy bar nights Charlie would aid the bartenders and, in turn, they organically taught Charlie the business of the bar. In 1999, Charlie worked his first bartending shift on a Saturday afternoon. Dedication and care to a proficient running bar is what he expects. His goal is to professionally cater to bar and restaurant guests with energetic and skilled etiquette.

Dana McCosco began her restaurant and bartending career in 1997 at a Virginia Beach sports bar and eventually moved to Florida to continue her work at another local sports bar. After 20 years, Dana moved back to Virginia and easily approached Scott and Lisa about a position in the same establishment even her Mother had worked in over 20 years prior. Dana quickly earned her stay because of her abundance of managerial knowledge and bartending skills.