TSBW News
October 16, 2007
2007 Mayor's Award Winners
Small Business of the Year Award
Café Ole
Kit Rivenburg, Owner and Managing Member of Café Ole, grew up in the food service business and started cooking when he was just 11 years old. After spending twenty-five years in the corporate world, Kit was eager for or a change in career and an opportunity to return to the food service business that he loved. He formed a successful catering business named “Around the Town” while also aspiring to owning a daytime café. Advised by the Small Business Administration to gain some experience by working in a café, he answered an ad placed by former Café Ole owner Jamie Griswold in November of 2002. The match was perfect. Jamie taught Kit the café business and Kit incorporated his catering business into the café.
Deciding that the City of Trenton had great potential, Kit purchased Café Ole in December of 2003 and the building it occupies in March of 2004. He has since renovated the interior of the restaurant, expanded and enhanced its menu and continued to grow the catering portion of the business. Kit is currently renovating the upper level of the building and plans on making it his permanent residence.
Kit is a member of the Trenton Downtown Association and serves on their Executive Committee.
Most Improved Appearance Award
Settimo Cielo
Henry Mendez and Franco Rivas, Co-Owners of Settimo Cielo, spent very little time in Trenton before opening their restaurant in November of 2006, but apparently enough time to know that Trenton was a win-win for their business. Henry and Franco worked together in the restaurant business in New York City for a number of years and yearned to own their own restaurant. Knowing that Trenton would be more affordable than New York City and comfortable with the knowledge of relatives in the area, the two decided to take the plunge at 17 East Front Street in the beautifully renovated building that boasts their establishment.
Settimo Cielo specializes in northern Italian cuisine and a New York style and is open for both lunch and dinner from Monday through Thursday, with menu switches at 3:00 p.m. On Saturday, dinner is served from 4:30 – 10:00 p.m. Sunday is reserved for private parties. Customer service at this establishment is a priority with the goal of making each customer feel special and return for that next great meal.
Both owners have assimilated into the community. Henry has settled in Lawrenceville and Franco in Trenton. Recently, they participated in the catering of the Cadwalader Park House Tour.
Most Successful New Business Award
Supremo Food Markets
Supremo Food Markets owner Eddie Trujillo started in the supermarket business about ten years ago after completing a ten year career as Vice President of a large milk and cheese company. He opened his third store in Trenton at 410 Lalor Street a little more than a year ago. Also the owner of stores on Hermitage and Pennington Avenues, seven other stores in New Jersey and three in the greater Philadelphia area, the Trenton-area stores provide job opportunities for more than one hundred union employees.
While they are a full service food market, Supremo stands out as unique in its locales because it also customizes its product to the ethnic diversity of the neighborhood it serves. Supremo also provides free delivery for all customers, a particular plus in an urban environment where patrons might not always have access to automobiles.
Eddie, a resident of Holmdel, NJ, enjoys serving the good people of Trenton.