SPX Technologies plans to “significantly expand” its electric heating business by purchasing ASPEQ Heating Group for $418 million.

The Charlotte-based company has entered into an agreement to purchase ASPEQ with Industrial Growth Partners, a San Francisco-based private equity firm, SPX said in a press release Monday.

This is SPX Technologies' 13th and largest acquisition since 2018, said Gene Lowe, CEO of SPX Technologies, in a statement.

ASPEQ, based in St. Louis, offers industrial and commercial brands such as INDEECO, Heatrex and AccuTherm. ASPEQ's annual revenue is about $120 million, according to SPX.

Subject to regulatory approval, the transaction is expected to close in the second quarter, in early July.

About SPX Technologies

SPX Technologies, a provider of products and technologies in the areas of heating, ventilation and air conditioning, detection and measurement technology, employs more than 3,300 people in 15 countries.

Last month, SPX Technologies acquired Canada-based TAMCO for $125 million to expand its HVAC operations. TAMCO makes motorized and non-motorized dampers that control airflow in thermal applications such as data centers and healthcare facilities, according to SPX.

Last August, SPX Technologies was created from the corporate restructuring of the SPX Corp. group of companies.

In 2020, SPX moved its headquarters to 6325 Ardrey Kell Road in South Charlotte.

Charlotte-based manufacturer to be sold for nearly $4 billion. What this means for local operations

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The LJ Kruse Company in Berkeley, California, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The plumbing and heating company has been continuously owned and operated by the Kruse family since it was founded by Louis Joseph Kruse in 1916. Andy Kruse, president and part of the third generation of leadership, said in a statement, “We are very excited to enter our second century of plumbing, heating and cooling services in the Bay Area. I often think about what my grandfather Louis would say if he saw the operation today. While the past is important to us, we are more focused on the future as the fourth generation is now about to take over.”

Founder Louis J. Kruse was the son of a German immigrant who came to California to prospect in the gold fields of the Sierra foothills. Louis was born in Grass Valley in 1889, and when his father died in a mysterious mining accident a few years later, the family moved to San Francisco. Louis grew up in the city, enjoyed working with his hands, and learned to be a gasfitter at Lick-Wilmerding, then a vocational school.

After the great earthquake of 1906, Louis saw the tremendous potential for tradesmen in the East Bay and moved to Oakland. He built a home in the Rockridge neighborhood and opened his plumbing shop on College Avenue in 1916. After his death in 1946, his son, Edward H. Kruse, presided over the company's rapid postwar growth. The firm now operates in all five Bay Area counties and is run by the third generation, Dave and Andy Kruse. The fourth generation of Kruse leadership is ready to take the lead. They include Janell Kruse Yates VP, Nathan Kruse VP, Ben Kruse union plumber and Will Kruse dispatcher. “We need the youth and the energy that comes with it,” Andy says. “When our grandfather was young, he had a vision, and the next generation does too.”

Nathan Kruse and Ben Kruse; Trimble layout at the Alameda County Courthouse.

The LJ Kruse Company operates two divisions from its 20,000-square-foot headquarters in Berkeley, California. (The building was renovated to LEED GOLD standards in 2012.) The construction division focuses on large commercial and residential projects with a strong emphasis on healthcare and design-build capabilities. The company utilizes in-house CAD, BIM and prefabrication techniques to install complex plumbing and piping systems in new and existing buildings throughout the region. The service division focuses on repairing and maintaining commercial, industrial and residential plumbing, heating and cooling systems. All field work for both divisions is performed by unionized plumbers, pipefitters and sheet metal workers and supported by an office staff of experienced managers and executives. The company is one of the few plumbing companies in the region that offers a range of services, from a one-hour service visit to your home to a multi-million dollar plumbing installation at a hospital.
Project.

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FARGO — A West Fargo woman has been accused of stealing roughly $100,000 from a plumbing company where she worked.

Lisa Michelle Koehmstedt, 51, appeared Friday, Sept. 30, in Cass County District Court on a felony charge of theft. She could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Koehmstedt was an accountant for Riverside Plumbing in Fargo when she allegedly stole the money, according to a criminal complaint. Records given to investigators by Riverside owner Jeremy Johnson suggested the theft happened between July 2020 and June 2022, the complaint said.

A fraud audit showed $96,604 was paid to AT&T, Glitter and Tees, and Seven O One, the complaint said.

Koehmstedt was booked Thursday into the Cass County Jail.

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Seasonal business ventures remain one of the hottest small business trends thanks to the numerous business opportunities and the unique benefits these options offer budding entrepreneurs. After all, seasonal businesses such as those that only operate during the winter season allow small business owners to take extended breaks during their lengthy off-seasons or to spend that time strategizing ways to boost sales the next year. Before you can run a successful seasonal business in the cooler months, however, you need some innovative winter business ideas.

Best winter business to start with

Starting a successful winter business is an achievable goal. Looking for seasonal business ideas that can operate during the winter months? The following 32 winter business ideas should get you started right.

1. Fake Snow Business

If you live in a location where snow is scarce during the winter season, then selling fake snow can be a great business idea. Fake snow can be in high demand during the festive season among organizations, companies and even families who want to experience a winter wonderland.

2.Gift Wrapping Service

Gift wrapping services remain an in-demand business idea during the holiday season. If you’re a skilled gift wrapper, you can sell your services near any busy shopping area, and you’re almost guaranteed to attract plenty of customers.

3.Christmas Tree Farm

While selling Christmas trees during the winter season might not be an option for every entrepreneur, Christmas tree farming can grow into a successful and profitable winter business idea for small business owners who own land where they can grow evergreen products so they can sell Christmas trees.

4. Towing service

Towing services are businesses that are in need all year long, but the demand grows during the winter season when road conditions often deteriorate. The owner and operator of a tow truck can still turn a profit if they only operate seasonally.

5. Ventless Fireplace Business

Ventless fireplaces continue to grow in popularity since so many properties no longer are equipped for the traditional variety. A ventless fireplace installation business is a solid business idea, provided the entrepreneur gets proper clearances from the fire department.

6. Winter Sports Equipment Rentals

Many consumers enjoy playing occasional winter sports, but they don’t own the proper equipment for seasonal pastimes. In the right market, an entrepreneur could achieve great success by renting this needed winter sports equipment as a business.

7. Sell Gift Baskets

Unique gift baskets remain at the top of many holiday shoppers’ gift lists, so there’s never been a better time to start a seasonal business selling holiday gift baskets. You could create a variety of gift baskets or focus on a specific niche in the market.

8. Sell Winter Garments

Do you have an eye for fashion? You could start a successful seasonal small business by selling winter garments. You could obtain a seasonal lease and start a local boutique, or you could excel in the online selling marketplace.

9. General Errand Service Business

More people seek assistance with running errands during the winter months than when it’s warm outside, making a general errand service business another profitable idea for entrepreneurs seeking a seasonal venture.

10. Ice Cream Shop

Ice cream is a popular treat all year long, but many ice cream shops only operate during the summer. Opening a wintertime ice cream shop is a great way to fill a gap in the market.

11. Winter Weather Baskets

Who says it needs to be a holiday to send a gift basket to a friend or loved one? A small business specializing in the more generic, yet still seasonal winter weather baskets is sure to be a hit in almost any community.

12. Chimney Sweeper

Naturally, homeowners use their fireplaces far more frequently during the colder months, which makes a chimney sweep business another great idea for a successful seasonal company.

13. Hot Beverage Pop Up

Hot beverages are in demand during the winter season, which makes the colder months the perfect time to start a hot beverage pop-up business. Just establish a small retail space for your hot beverage stand in an area with regular traffic and sell options like coffee, hot chocolate and hot tea.

14. Sell Home Made Cookies

When it comes to holiday treats, it’s no secret that plenty of people prefer cookies. With just a small capital investment, you can start a cookie business and offer an assortment of sweet treats, including good-quality cookies.

15. Sleigh Ride Service Business

While some winter seasonal businesses appeal to a narrow demographic, others cater to all age groups. A sleigh ride service is a seasonal business that can draw customers young and old as they seek exciting holiday experiences.

16. Home winterization service

Are you skilled with the tips and tricks to successfully winterize a home? You can start a winter seasonal business helping homeowners prepare their properties for severe winter weather by insulating, closing any gaps in windows and using other weatherization techniques.

17. Cake Shop

The holiday season is cake time for many families, so a wintertime cake shop can become a profitable seasonal business activity. You can offer a variety of baked goods for your products and specialize in festive cakes like the popular Yule log cake.

18. Sell Firewood

Firewood is in far greater demand during the winter months compared to the rest of the year. Many entrepreneurs who own wooded land have established successful seasonal small businesses by selling firewood.

19. Snow Removal Business

One of the more profitable winter business ideas in areas with consistent winter storms is a snow removal service. There is little overhead to offer snow removal services in nearby residential areas, and the demand is all but guaranteed anytime it snows. By purchasing the proper equipment, you can even expand to a snow plowing business.

20. Party rental

The party rental business is one of the more popular small business ideas all year long, but it can also be successful during only the winter months. Such a business might specialize in renting winter holiday-themed party supplies, decorations and equipment, including that geared toward Thanksgiving, Hanukah, Christmas and New Year’s.

21. CSF Delivery

Looking to start a new business during the winter months? Consider a liquor delivery service since the demand for many hard beverages increases during the winter when people also are less likely to savor a cold trip to the store. Be sure, of course, that you are following all local laws and regulations.

22. Christmas Retail Outlet

The various holiday seasons are prime time for retailers around the world, so it’s no wonder why more entrepreneurs are starting Christmas retail outlets and turning them into successful seasonal businesses.

23. Senior Errand Services

If you’re looking for a way to earn extra money during the winter season, consider starting a senior errand service and performing odd jobs for the elderly in your community. Since it’s harder for many seniors to get around when it’s cold outside, a helpful entrepreneur can turn a profit with this seasonal option.

24.WinterStorage

Many consumers use storage facilities for seasonal purposes as they pack away clothing, furniture and equipment they don’t plan to use for several months to save space. These semi-annual habits make owning a storage building with individual units another great seasonal business option.

25. Pet Sitting

Pet sitting easily can grow into a successful year-round business, but demand for pet sitting services tends to increase during the holiday season. An animal-loving entrepreneur easily could start a small business by safeguarding pets during the winter season.

26. Furnace Repair Service

There will always be a demand for those skilled in repairing appliances, and a furnace repair service is a natural seasonal venture since there will be little demand for the niche during the warmer months. When it’s cold, however, someone who is skilled at repairing heaters can be a hot commodity.

27. Handcrafted wreaths

With just a small investment, a crafty entrepreneur can create beautiful handcrafted wreaths for the holiday season or for all winter long. Wreaths can be sold locally at flea markets and craft fairs, or they can be sold online and shipped to customers.

28. Quilt & Blanket Company

Quilts and blankets are in high demand during the winter months in many places, and an entrepreneur with quilting skills can meet this huge demand by starting a quilt and blanket company. You can start your own quilt trading store, or you can maximize your profits by selling quilts from an online marketplace like Etsy.

29. Holiday Home Decorating Business

How many members of your community wish they could decorate their homes for the holidays but simply don’t have time in their busy schedules? Decorating homes for the holidays is another profitable winter business idea that requires little overhead.

30. Local cleaning service

Starting a local cleaning service is a lucrative winter business idea since so many consumers have less time to spend cleaning during the winter months even as they welcome and entertain holiday guests. A seasonal business that meets this increased demand is sure to be a hit.

31. Custom Ornament Sales

The business of Christmas ornaments delivers products to a massive market, but it’s definitely a seasonal venture with most sales occurring in the winter months. Crafty entrepreneurs can choose to create a plethora of options, and they can sell their creations at local stores and craft fairs or through online marketplaces like Etsy or Amazon Handmade.

32. Delivery Business

Just as many people seek assistance running errands during the cold winter months, there is also a local market demand for delivery services. With a reliable vehicle, you can start a successful delivery business initiating services to local neighborhoods.

Check Your Small Business Insurance Coverage

When establishing a successful seasonal small business, it’s vital for entrepreneurs to fully prepare for a winter storm by checking on their small business insurance coverage. Harsh weather conditions create the perfect environment for accidents… and the possibility of a lawsuit. Do you have plenty of liability insurance to cover such instances? Don’t let your seasonal small business become a victim of insurance vulnerabilities.

How Do You Start a Seasonal Company?

Are you ready to start a seasonal company in the winter months? If you’ve already found a great idea by studying the most popular small business trends, it’s important to study your market so you can establish an effective business plan.

The business plan will help you finance your business if needed before you invest in marketing, equipment and supplies. If your new small business isn’t a seasonal operation, you’ll also need to hire seasonal employees before you can fully open. Don’t forget to invest in accounting software to help you prepare for taxes and open a business checking account to keep everything compliant.

Image: Envato Elements

More in: Develop an idea

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JOHN BISSET/Stuff

Sonya Lane of Waimate, and has started a chimney sweep business, and aims to donate 10% of her profit to firefighters.

Sonya Lane is hoping her new chimney-sweeping business has a thank-you element will reduce fire call-outs and also raise money for the fire service.

More than five years after firefighters used the jaws of life to get Lane out of a crashed car, the Waimate woman has launched Sootless Chimney Sweep to try to reduce fire call-outs, and as a way to raise money for the fire service.

The idea of ​​donating 10% of the profits from her businesses to the firefighters through the New Zealand Firefighters Welfare Society was to give back to the organization of people that “saved my life”.

“I can’t stop fires but what I can do is stop some from happening.

READ MORE:
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* Chimney fire damage roof of Culverden home
* ‘Shattered’ Methven pub owner wants to reopen bar within days after fire

“Prevention is better than cure.

“I don’t want anyone suffering from something that can be preventable.”

Lane launched the business two months ago but is not the one climbing the ladder because of ongoing health issues, instead employing someone “who knows what they are doing”.

JOHN BISSET/Stuff

Sonya Lane said the reason behind the Sootless Chimney Sweep slogan, get it swept, is that prevention is better than cure.

“I have hired a staff member who is great, he learned how to clean chimneys from his father who learned to clean chimneys from his father,” Lane said.

Although she does not get up to do the sweeping, she has been able to see “some interesting things,” on job sites.

JOHN BISSET/Stuff

Sonya Lane has a goal of having Sootless Chimney Sweep all over New Zealand.

“I have seen many charcoaled birds,” she said.

“That’s why it is really important to get bird netting, as birds easily get into the chimney, in summer and winter, so we include bird netting in our chimney sweeping.”

Lane said the businesses had an amazing two months with word of mouth taking them all over South Canterbury, and she hopes one day, Sootless Chimney Sweep will be all over New Zealand.

JOHN BISSET/Stuff

Ten per cent of Sonya Lane’s profits are being donated to firefighters through the New Zealand Fire Fighters Welfare Society.

“I am also in the beginning of working with Work and Income to become a provider, so people will be able to get help to afford it if they need it,” she said

“People should be able to have the help to prevent chimney fires, and I think being able to do this will make it more accessible to more people.”

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Business owners in the Castro are attempting to take matters into their own hands when it comes to the San Francisco neighborhood’s unhoused population.

The Castro Merchants Association, which represents about 125 businesses in the area, sent a letter to city officials on Aug. 8 outlining three demands: 35 shelter beds designated for “mentally ill and substance-abusing individuals who have taken up residence in the Castro, ” a request for monthly metrics on the services offered or provided to unhoused people in the neighborhood, and a plan for what to do after people decline services.

Dave Karraker, co-president of the Castro Merchants Association, told SFGATE that businesses in the association will potentially stop paying taxes if the three demands are not met.

“Whatever they’re doing isn’t working. It isn’t leading to a noticeable difference in the conditions in the Castro as it relates to the drug addicted and the mentally ill,” said Karraker, who also co-owns MX3 Fitness, a gym with two locations in the area.

Karraker said businesses in the Castro have been hit especially hard since the start of the pandemic, and he feels that the neighborhood’s unhoused population – particularly those struggling with addiction and mental illness – are making the problem worse.

“We’re just seeing constant vandalism, constant drug use in public, people passed out on the sidewalk, people having psychotic breakdowns, and it’s just not something a small-business owner should have to deal with,” Karraker said.

He mentioned that the letter’s request for 35 shelter beds comes from a record kept by District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman’s office about “people who are constantly causing issues” in the neighborhood: “That list is typically between 20 and 25 people. So we knew if we got 35 beds, we’d be able to cover those people,” Karraker said.

In a response sent to the business association by the San Francisco Department of Public Health and the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, officials said that it isn’t city policy to designate shelter beds for people from a particular neighborhood. The response also stated that it would be a breach of privacy laws to share information about the case status of specific people with the public.

“However, we greatly appreciate hearing from community members about what they are seeing on the streets and will continue to work with the Castro community to improve conditions for all in the Castro,” the response says.

Karraker said he believes that the city’s response to its homelessness crisis tends to focus on neighborhoods like the Tenderloin, which he feels has been “pushing people into the Castro.”

But some unhoused people from neighborhoods like the Tenderloin say they come to the Castro because they feel safer there as LGBTQ+ people, KTVU reported.

That’s not a recent phenomenon: in 2009, the Journal of LGBT Youth published a study by Jen Reck, an Associate Professor of Sociology and Sexuality Studies at San Francisco State University, called “No One Likes Street Kids – Even in the Castro.”

The study focuses on homeless gay and transgender youth of color in San Francisco, particularly a group of teenagers who used the Castro as a place to seek safety and community.

“The Castro was especially important to these youth because, as gay and transgender homeless young people, other public and private places did not feel safe to them,” the study said.

But the youth featured in the study also reported facing harassment and hostility from community members in the Castro. They mentioned being treated like outsiders in a place that they observed to be “mostly inhabited by gay middle-class adult males,” and said that they felt left out of the community since “it is those who want or are able to spend money in the stores who can fully participate in the neighborhood culture.”

Today, gathering spaces in the Castro are still largely commercial, although there are a number of community organizations in the neighborhood that offer free housing navigation services to LGBTQ+ people. The specificity of these programs could be another reason unhoused people are drawn to the Castro from other parts of the city.

As it turns out, a few of these organizations – including LYRIC, a center for LGBTQ+ youth, and the SF LGBT Community Center, are part of the Castro Merchants Association.

Adam-Michael Royston, LYRIC’s vice president, says the association’s letter is not representative of all unhoused people in the Castro or the spirit of the neighborhood and its history.

“The Castro has been a beacon of hope for queer individuals for more than 30 years, and we have to continuously remember that we need to be inclusive and in community,” Royston said.

He added that as anti-transgender legislation takes off in other parts of the country, an influx of young people fleeing from conservative states have been making their way to San Francisco—and many of them end up in the Castro.

“The reason that so many of us ended up in the Castro is the same reason that so many of our youth end up here, too,” Royston said. “I think that letter, to youth fleeing the crises that they’re in, is not supportive.”

But business owners like Karraker believe that people who openly use drugs and experience public mental health crises are causing the neighborhood to suffer, regardless of their identity.

“No matter who it is, we can’t accept the idea that someone can come to the Castro, do drugs and be mentally ill to the point that they’re a threat to themselves or a threat to residents or tourists. This can’t continue,” Karraker said.

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Plumbing crew robbed at gunpoint in Oakland, sewer cameras stolen

A small business owner in Oakland is concerned for his workers’ safety after they were robbed at gunpoint twice in recent weeks. Each time it happened when crews were working on a job. The workers and business owner said the robberies were traumatic. A sewer camera system and a van were stolen.

OAKLAND, Calif. – A small business owner in Oakland is concerned for his workers’ safety after they were robbed at gunpoint twice in recent weeks.

Each time it happened while crews were working at a job site.

The most recent incident happened Tuesday morning.

The surveillance video showed the armed robbery.

Two thieves walked up to a plumbing crew working in Oakland’s Laurel District around 9:15 am

“It’s hurtful, traumatizing,” said Ygnacio Becerra, owner of Oakland Rooter & Plumbing.

“Twice in a matter of three weeks. But this year, we’ve had three vans stolen, thousands of dollars of equipment stolen from us,” said Becerra.

This time, one thief grabbed plumbing equipment and ran to the getaway car.

And shortly after, a thief opened one of the work vans and stole tools.

“It happened pretty fast. It happened pretty quick,” said Jose, one of the three workers on site, who asked KTVU not to show his face.

He said two thieves walked up to him in the driveway and the one armed with a gun approached him.

“He said don’t say anything. And don’t do nothing or I will kill you right now. I just got scared,” said Jose.

He said the thieves wore face masks, black hoodies and black jean.

He added that the thief with the gun spoke English with a Central American accent and he wore black and red Nike tennis shoes.

“Last night when I got home, I could still see his face,” Jose said he could identify the thief even though he wore a mask.

The robbery took place in the driveway of Gilbert Chin, who is a client of Oakland Rooter & Plumbing.

The plumbing technicians were there to repair a sewage line.

Chin was inside his home at the time of the robbery but his surveillance camera captured what happened.

“I’ve been here for 31 years. I’m very comfortable here. We’ve got to do something about the crime,” said Chin.

Becerra showed the expensive sewer camera system that was stolen.

He said this equipment alone costs $20,000.

He estimated that the loss from the armed robberies and stolen vans add up to $100,000.

“Someone’s going to get hurt. Someone’s going to get killed, either us as field techs or the thieves,” said Becerra.

Amber Lee is a reporter with KTVU. Email Amber at Amber.Lee@Fox.com or text/leave message at 510-599-3922. Follow her on Facebook @AmberKTVU, Instagram @AmberKTVU or Twitter @AmberKTVU

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We have some feelings about seemingly made-up holidays (looking at you, International Avocado Toast Day, or whatever), but one we are very on board with is Small Business Saturday, which encourages us all to support the local, independent businesses in our city ​​(instead of, say, blowing dollars at a world-dominating online behemoth). San Francisco, being a city filled to the brim with stunningly creative folks, is a most excellent place to support a small business, particularly if you have holiday gifting on the mind (yes, gifting yourself is absolutely a thing). From NoPa to Chinatown, here are 15 of our go-tos for clothes, jewelry, records, plants, books, and more.

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Family style at Lolinda

lolinda

Lolinda is a modern Argentinian steakhouse that combines Latin American flavors with California sensibilities and local ingredients. This San Francisco establishment is celebrating ten years in business in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission District. Lolinda prides herself on being a “new kind” of Argentinean steakhouse, one that isn’t just juicy cuts of meat, but a place that brings together the best flavors and dishes of all of Latin America.

“The inspiration for the menu, and the restaurant as a whole, was to create a “different kind of steakhouse” – one in which family-style service and sharing was the norm,” explains Alejandro Morgan, Executive Chef of Lolinda. “We believe sharing is not only the best way to enjoy many different dishes and maximize your experience here at Lolinda, but it also is more sustainable in a sense. By reducing the number of individual plates ordered, we reduce waste and create better value for our guests.”

This lively restaurant destination is an ideal spot for group dining, dates, business dinners and celebrations, thanks to its spacious interiors and two full bars.

Wood fire grill

lolinda

Nightly, a wide range of meats are cooked perfectly over the wood-fired asador, as well as freshly made ceviche, empanadas, specialty dishes, and grilled skewers ready to be served. Popular cuts include the filet mignon, 100% grass-fed from Argentina and the bife de chorizo, or the New York steak.

Lolinda encourages guests to curate a family-style menu from its varied selections of meats, ceviches, hot and cold small plates, skewers and larger format plates. You can’t go wrong with the ceviche mixto with squid, shrimp and halibut; any of the savory, stuffed empanadas; or the pulpo with salsa verde.

At the heart of this experience is the Asado Mixto, a classic combination of traditionally wood fire-grilled Argentinian meats that include chorizo, morcilla, flap loin, and short rib, meant to be accompanied with a variety of sides like yuca-riccota croquettas, pan de queso or papas. Another popular dish is the guacho, a juicy, prime bone-in ribeye for two.

Malbec braised short ribs

lolinda

We chatted with Adriano Paganini, Owner & Operator of Back of the House, and Alejandro Morgan, Executive Chef of Lolinda on this ten year anniversary and more. Here’s what they had to say.

San Francisco’s restaurant competition is steep. What are the top three things you attribute Lolinda’s success to?

Adriano: Consistency in our offering, our product, our purveyors and, of course, all our team members. We worked really hard to develop a menu that had a little bit of everything for everyone, while respecting seasonality, and over the past decade we have developed a deep understanding of what our guests are looking for. This allows us to really perfect our craft and make sure that every single dish and drink is perfect every time. We are also very lucky to be in a neighborhood that just makes a lot of sense for our style of steakhouse.

Talk about the inspiration of the menu. What are some of the dishes that have remained staples over the years?

Alejandro: In terms of the actual dishes and the menu itself, we took inspiration from the rich culture of the Sunday Argentinian Asado, and infused other Latin American flavors from different countries to create a unique point of view.

For our chef partner Alejandro Morgan, who grew up in Costa Rica and didn’t have the most amazing culinary heritage, he fell in love with the diverse foods and flavors of Latin America. He wanted to highlight the richness and diversity of the region. He wanted to have some of their best dishes on the menu: from the Peruvian ceviche, or the Nicaraguan vigoron to the Argentinian asado – and make them all with our own “Lolinda touch.”

How did the pandemic affect business?

Adriano: We were hit pretty hard, especially because we don’t have any outdoor dining space, but our team was nimble and we got creative selling meal kits to-go during the early days, offering our food on delivery platforms (which we had never done before) and then eventually reconfiguring our HVAC system and offering limited indoor reservations. Now we’re back to normal, and business is good, which we feel really grateful for.

What is the mixology and overall beverage program like? Talk about the two bars.

Alejandro: Our bar has always been an integral part of the vibe at Lolinda. We offer a selection of classic cocktails that do not deter from their classical preparation like the Manhattan and Martini which are both served old-school with a sidecar. These drinks really complement our menu, and there’s a little bit of something for everyone here. Our nuevo cocktails are where our bartenders get to have some fun. They change seasonally and give our staff a chance to play around with fun flavors, trends and different ingredients.

Going forward, is there anything you’re planning to change or evolve?

Adriano: The restaurant business evolves whether you want it to or not, especially in the last few years. For us, our evolution will always be about listening to our guests’ wants and needs. We will always evolve and strive to be better, but not at the cost of what we believe in: having a menu that is creative, not fussy, where we have good flavors and quality ingredients as the main component, in a space that is fun and inviting for everyone.

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