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ORAL HISTORY
Darryl Smalls
Darryl Smalls, born in 1965, was raised in Charleston, South Carolina. He grew up in downtown Charleston. As a young man, Smalls planned to join the military but in 1979, he got a job bussing tables at Marianne, a French restaurant on Meeting street. He credits his bosses, Serge and Christine Claire, who saw his potential and convinced him to make a career as a waiter.
While at Marianne, Smalls educated himself about wine and food. Eventually, he became a bartender. In 1993, Smalls started tending bar at Vickery’s. In 2009, he joined Hall’s Chophouse as a server and bartender. Smalls feels responsible for the diners and drinkers in his care, and he works hard to make them feel at home.
