20111017-NEWS--18-NAT-CCI-CL_--
18
10/12/2011
3:57 PM
Page 1
CRAIN’S CLEVELAND BUSINESS
WWW.CRAINSCLEVELAND.COM
OCTOBER 17 - 23, 2011
Spice of Life Catering diversifies business with move By KATHY AMES CARR kcarr@crain.com
Spice of Life Catering Co. is kicking up its operation. The company that was founded in 2006 by Ben Bebenroth is moving from its shared space with Marigold Catering Co. at Lakeside Avenue in Cleveland into a new headquarters building at Detroit Avenue and West 58th Street in the Gordon Square Arts District, a move that was driven by a decision to branch out its offerings. Spice of Life, an upscale catering company that sources 95% of its ingredients from small family farms within a 100-mile radius of Cleveland, is incorporating a restaurant and bar, market and urban garden
setting into its business. It’s all intended to cultivate more patron interaction and inspire customers to become local food advocates, said Jackie Bebenroth, Ben’s wife and business partner. The 6,000-square-foot building serves Spice of Life’s purpose. The first floor will be dedicated to a 45seat restaurant and bar that also will function as the company’s special events space. An additional 60 seats will be available on the patio. Spice Kitchen + Bar’s opening date has yet to be determined, but the restaurant will feature five to eight seasonal dishes and four to five daily specials when operational. The second floor will house offices and private event space. Plans for a
rooftop patio also are percolating. Guests aren’t limited to the traditional dining experience, either. The Spice Rack retail space will sell a carefully curated collection of goods made by local foods artisans. The parking lot behind the building will transform into Spice Acres, an urban garden and farm with two hoophouses that will be used to grow produce for Spice of Life dishes. “We’ll encourage people to interact with the garden around them,” Ms. Bebenroth said. “Ultimately, we would like to use it as a springboard to another extension of the business — edible landscaping consulting services. We’d consult with individuals looking to establish chef’s gardens.” Spice of Life is retrofitting the site
for its needs. The renovation likely will cost $250,000, and Mr. Bebenroth still is scouting for private investors to raise money for the project. The total project investment is expected to cost $375,000. The company last week received a $40,000 National Retail Assistance Program loan, which included a $3,000 Gardening for Greenbacks grant through the city of Cleveland. The couple and chefs Brandon Walukus and Andy Strizak command the nine-employee operation; Spice of Life plans to hire an additional six employees. The catering outfit is on track to do $500,000 in sales this year. The company so far has that much booked in events next year. ■
FILE PHOTO/JASON MILLER
Ben Bebenroth, chef and founder of Spice of Life Catering Co.
BRIGHT SPOTS Bright Spots is a periodic feature in Crain’s, highlighting positive business news in Northeast Ohio. To submit information, please e-mail Scott Suttell at ssuttell@crain.com.
Online payroll that’s easy on your time and your bottom line. Get Business Online Payroll for as low as $49.99 a month. Take care of payroll in just a few clicks with FirstMerit online payroll service. A full-service online payroll system with 24/7 access and support. So you can use it wherever, whenever. And get back to focusing on other things—like your business.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO ENROLL,
call 1-866-311-1416, visit your local branch, or go to firstmerit.com/payroll. Member FDIC
PERSONA L
BUSINESS
COMMERCI A L
W E A LT H
■ ViewRay Inc. said the University of California’s, Los Angeles Health System and its Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center is the third oncology research center in the world to acquire a radiotherapy system from the Cleveland medical device company. ViewRay is developing its new research radiation therapy system to feature a patented combination of radiotherapy delivery and simultaneous magnetic resonance imaging. Nearly two-thirds of all cancer patients receive radiation therapy during their illness, according to ViewRay. The company said its system is designed to provide continuous soft-tissue MR imaging during treatment so clinicians can see where the radiation is delivered, as it’s delivered. ■ Cleveland law firm McDonald Hopkins LLC said its new office in Miami already is expanding. The firm’s office in Miami has moved to Suite 3130 on the 31st floor of the Southeast Financial Center “to accommodate growth and expansion.” “We are very excited that our space in the Southeast Financial Center enables us to grow in the Miami market,” said Raquel A. Rodriguez, managing member of the firm’s Miami office, in a statement. “We are actively recruiting talented and experienced attorneys to join our national practice groups.” McDonald Hopkins entered the Miami market in late April. ■ The Kowit & Passov Real Estate Group announced three new deals. Snap Fitness in February 2012 will open a 4,700-square-foot space in the Middlefield Square Shopping Center in Middlefield. Greg Guyuron and Adam Zimmerman with Kowit & Passov represented the landlord. The Ohio Association of Public School Employees has consolidated two local offices for a central location. On Nov. 1, the association will be at 3380 Brecksville Road in Richfield in the Alexis Park Office Building. Nanci Ferrante and Mr. Guyuron represented the landlord on this 4,448-square-foot lease. Family apparel store Citi Trends will open Dec. 1 at the Shore Center Plaza South in Euclid. Mr. Guyuron and Tori Nook represented the landlord on the 12,259-square-foot lease.