our staff
Joshua Miller, Owner -
Joshua (Josh) Miller is the founder and owner of Local 121. It should be of no surprise that Miller, is also locally grown. Born and raised in Rhode Island, Miller has been a major figure in the Providence food scene for more than 30 years. He is the founder and owner of the successful Trinity Brew House, one of the first Brew-Pub/Restaurants in New England, and the largest brewery in Rhode Island. He is also co-owner of the Hot Club, one of Esquire’s Top 50 Bars in the U.S. List and the first waterfront bar in Providence, sparking the urban renewal of a once heavily industrial area. Miller is a true visionary in the restaurant business, without compromising food integrity or quality. Josh Miller has been involved in environmental and socially conscious redevelopment since 1998. Miller served for six years as the Vice Chair for Political Affairs for the Rhode Island Hospitality and Tourism Association and received the Restaurateur of the Year award in 2000. He served on the Board of Directors for the Providence/Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau and was honored in the year 2002 with the Member of Year Award and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006 in recognition of his contribution to the economic vitality of downtown Providence. He is the past president of the Downtown Merchants Association, which he has been involved with for the last seven years. Josh also served on the Board of Directors for the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation and the Rhode Island Small Business Advocacy Council. Miller currently serves on the Board for Farm Fresh Rhode Island, whose mission is to preserve Rhode Island agriculture, build healthier communities and improve the impact of food production and distribution in the state. He also serves on the Advisory Committee of the Institute for the Study and Practice of Non-violence and Crossroads Rhode Island, a national leader in providing a continuum of care to the homeless. In November 2006 Josh was elected to the Rhode Island State Senate. With a reputation for a common sense approach to problems, one of Miller’s top priorities have been to make health insurance more affordable for Rhode Island’s small businesses. When not working, you can find Josh spending time with his wife Nancy, his son Nicolas and their two dogs….and cheering on the Boston Red Sox.
Dave Johnson, Executive Chef
Dave Johnson has taken over as executive chef at Local 121 after working as the Sous Chef alongside Julia Moore. Julia has moved on to the west coast and we are excited about the energy and creativity that Dave brings to the table. His interests include further networking with local farms, building community relationships with growers and foragers, creative menus changes and further efforts in the local food movement. Congratulations Dave!!!
Erin Eberle, General Manager
There may be truth to the saying, “the restaurant business is in your blood.” Erin’s family has owned and run successful restaurants in Buffalo, New York, and Hollywood, Florida. While Erin claims she simply, “fell into” the restaurant business, destiny probably played more of a hand. It was while studying at Santa Clara University in California that Erin became interested in sustainable agriculture. She worked as the organic garden coordinator for Santa Clara Community’s Organic Garden. Erin’s travels in Europe, Central, and South America fueled her passion for food and restaurants. During her global trek, she made a point to discover each region’s cuisine. Erin explored other career options and worked for the Center for Environmental and Human Rights in Cordoba, Argentina, as an independent researcher for the United Nations. Erin was persuaded to re-enter the restaurant world by a concept that speaks to her heart-serving seasonal and local ingredients that pays respect to the land and sea. In her role as Local 121’s general manager, Erin exercises a long-held passion for locally grown ingredients, elegantly prepared and served in a comfortable atmosphere at affordable prices.
Jessica McClanahan, Manager
Jen Stevens, Event Coordinator
