When Hurricane Katrina tore through the Mississippi Gulf Coast, it left behind a path of destruction that tested the resolve of countless residents. Among them was entrepreneur Ron Ladner, who lost nearly everything he had built. But from the rubble of tragedy, Ladner discovered a new beginning—one that started with something as simple as a cheeseburger.
In his new book, “Shaggy’s Cheeseburgers”, Ladner – owner of the beloved Shaggy’s Restaurant on Pensacola Beach and several other Gulf Coast locations—shares an inspiring story of rebuilding, redemption, and the incredible power of community. More than a memoir, it’s a reflection on how one man turned personal and professional loss into a lasting symbol of hope.
Ladner’s book opens in the aftermath of Katrina, when devastation stretched as far as the eye could see. Amid the chaos, he envisioned a place where people could gather again, laugh again, and feel normal again. That place became Shaggy’s—a beachside restaurant where good food and good company helped mend broken spirits…