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[Page S3839]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING TWO PEAS CAFE
Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, as chairman of the U.S. Senate
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, I have the
opportunity to highlight a unique small business every week. Small
businesses serve local communities and contribute to our Nation's
economy. This week, it is my honor to recognize Two Peas Cafe of
LaBelle, FL, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.
Two Peas Cafe was founded by childhood friends, Deborah Buchard
Klemmer and Vicki Reynolds. Growing up together, Deborah and Vicki
spent a number of years working at Deborah's grandmother Ella's
restaurant. During that time, they saw firsthand the positive impact
that the restaurant had on the community as well as its local and
national fame, which included a feature on the Travel channel. After
Ella's restaurant closed in March 2011, Deborah and Vicki were
determined to carry on her legacy. In August 2013, the duo opened Two
Peas Cafe, in honor of Ella's long-time description of them, with the
goal of providing the next generation with the same quality service and
community atmosphere they had grown up with.
Today, Two Peas Cafe not only continues to serve customers throughout
southwest Florida, but also carries on the tradition of Ella's famous
homemade pies and original southern-style recipes. With a reputation
for good food and a friendly atmosphere, Two Peas Cafe is often packed
with eager customers. Deborah and Vicki do not take sole credit for the
success of the restaurant, however. They attribute their success to
community support. When these two friends decided to open up their own
cafe, their family, friends, and neighbors rallied behind them to get
the restaurant up and running. By pooling their unique skills and
resources, the LaBelle community not only contributed to the
establishment of Two Peas Cafe, but also its success.
Considering their cafe a community establishment, Deborah and Vicki
remain committed to fundraising, supporting, and participating in
LaBelle area events. One example of this community commitment is Two
Peas' annual support of Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society.
Not only do Deborah and Vicki organize a yearly team to raise money and
participate in the event, but for the past 3 years Vicki has been one
of the program coordinators. In this role, Vicki has been able to
motivate friends, family, and Two Peas staff to join together for a
great cause. At LaBelle's Relay for Life this past March, the Two Peas
Cafe team raised more than $20,000 and placed second in the event.
Clearly, small businesses like Two Peas Cafe are just as much a force
of community service as they are of economic growth.
Deborah and Vicki exemplify the dedication to service that we all as
Americans share. As successful entrepreneurs, they recognized that they
were uniquely positioned to bring their community together for a great
cause. I am honored to recognize Deborah, Vicki, and the entire team at
Two Peas Cafe as the Senate Small Business of the Week. Companies like
Two Peas Cafe make me proud to represent Florida, and I look forward to
watching their continued growth and success.
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