Building a better mousetrap
Congratulations to the 15 annual Mousetrap Award winners, honored by Cape Cod SCORE, after being nominated by their respective chambers of commerce. One thing each business has in common: they have survived for at least five years, not an easy accomplishment among startups. Now they appear poised for long-term success. They also contribute significantly to their communities.
Brewster: Steve Parrot, Sparkfish Restaurant
2671 Main St., Brewster, (508) 896-1067
Parrot trained with a Swiss master chef and completed a three-year apprenticeship with the American Culinary Federation. In 1999, he opened Sparkfish Restaurant in Brewster and is heading into his second summer at the Reef at the Villages at Ocean Edge with Ted Mahoney of Mahoney’s Grill. He and his wife Mary Beth prepare holiday meals for 75 to 150 people through the Lower Cape Outreach Council.
Cape Cod Canal: Michael and Keiko Magyar, The Glass Studio on Cape Cod
470 Old Kings Highway (Route 6A) East Sandwich, (508) 888-6681
Michael and Keiko moved to Cape Cod and built The Glass Studio on Cape Cod. He runs the studio and Keiko manages the gallery and business. Michael, who has exhibited internationally, creates items ranging from very delicate Venetian wine glasses to one of a kind light sculptures. For the past 13 years, Michael has been making the “Christmas in Sandwich” ornaments sold by the Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber of Commerce.
Chatham: Craig and Debra Souza, Cape Cod Lantern
309 Orleans Road, P.O. Box 417, North Chatham, (508) 945-1659
S. Wilder & Co. was founded in 1836 in Holliston and moved to Orleans in 1985. In 1998, it was purchased by Craig and Debra Souza. They moved the business to North Chatham in 2000. Craig continues in the tradition of manufacturing quality brass and copper lanterns from old patterns, as well as creating a large variety of custom lights. Debra runs the day-to-day business as well as handling sales and design consulting.
Dennis: Peter and David Troutman, Scargo Café
799 Main St., P.O. Box 1025, Dennis, (508) 385-8200
Peter and David Troutman, owners of the Scargo Café, began using the Internet to market themselves as early as 1998. Since then, they have used Web cams, virtual tours, surveys and an online store. They also collect e-mails and hand out a visit card at the end of meals to collect e-mail addresses, mailing addresses and birthday and anniversary information. This has resulted in a list of 8,000 people that they market to using e-mail.
Eastham: Maureen Reilly, Village Green General Store
Brackett Road, North Eastham, (508) 255-8455
After moving to Cape Cod in 1997, she initially worked as a night supervisor at the Christmas Tree Shops. Since 2001, she has managed the family business, the Village Green General Store, where her goal has been to create a relaxed, informal gathering spot for the community. She actively supports the Eastham Committee on Early Childhood, the Cape Cod Children’s Place, the Latham School and the Harperspace Art Gallery.
Falmouth: Cynthia and Mark Cilfone, La Cucina Sul Mare
237 Main St., Falmouth, (508) 548-5600
Cynthia and Mark Cilfone began their tutelage in Jupiter, Florida, at a restaurant named La Caravella. Mark, a chef, learned all of his cooking trade secrets from La Caravella’s owner, a man from Capri, Italy, and from his co-chef, who hailed from Sorrento, Italy. Cynthia has been involved in the restaurant business since she was 15.
Harwich: Ira Mendoza, Ay! Caramba Café & Cantina
703 Main St., Harwich, (508) 432-9800
Mendoza is the chef/owner of Ay! Caramba Café & Cantina in Harwich center. The restaurant first opened with just a take-out menu and one room in April 2000. They subsequently expanded to add another dining room and bar that serves high-end tequilas and margaritas.
Hyannis: Lisa and Skip Simpson, Anchor-In Hotel
1 South St., Hyannis, (508) 775-0357
Lisa and George “Skip” Simpson are the third generation to steward this family- owned business lodging establishment. Located near the Cape Cod Hospital, the Anchor-In not only offers distinctive waterfront lodging, but a compassionate environment for people with loved ones staying at the hospital.
Orleans: Jim and Claire Junkins, Friend’s Marketplace,
57 Main St., Orleans, (508) 255-0963
Jim and Claire Junkins purchased the former Ellis Market in Orleans in the spring of 1998 and changed the name to Friends. Today, they have 30 year-round and 20 seasonal employees. Their outdoor garden center operates nine months of the year.
Provincetown: Thomas Walter and David Sanford, Crowne Pointe Historic Inn
86 Bradford St., Provincetown, (508) 487-6767
In 1999, Walter and Sanford purchased several small adjoining properties and restored them. Over the course of the next few years, several more buildings were added, bringing the total number of guest rooms and suites to 40. In 2001, the inn opened a full-service spa and in 2005, a full-service restaurant. Today, they employ more than 60 people during high season and 38 people during the shoulder seasons.
Sandwich: Angela Feltman, Heart of Stone
130 Route 6A, Sandwich, (508) 833-8500
Feltman began Heart of Stone by making jewelry in a corner of her children’s playroom in 1989. After years of weekend craft shows and a small retail outlet, she expanded to her current location in Sandwich Village in 2001. After a disappointing 2004 summer season, she developed Cape Cod Colors, a line of town jewelry designed as a fund-raiser for fine and performing arts programs for Cape Cod high schools.
Truro: Karen and Craig Hathaway, Dutra’s Market
2 Highland Road, Truro, (508) 487-0711
Craig and Karen Hathaway moved to Truro from Maine six years ago and became second generation owners of Dutra’s Market. They are generous in donating baked goods every Tuesday and Thursday at their local Council on Aging.
Wellfleet: Traci Harmon-Hay, Harmon Gallery
95 Commercial St., Wellfleet, (508) 349-0530
Harmon-Hay moved to the Cape 12 years ago and worked for the Left Bank Gallery of Wellfleet. In 2000 she decided to open her own gallery, where she could paint and sell her work along with the work of other local artists.
Yarmouth: Christine and Joe Jamiel, Ardeo Mediterranean Taverna
Union Square Plaza, 23 Whites Path, South Yarmouth, (508) 760-1500
Five years ago, the Jamiels took over the anchor space in the Union Square Plaza, made extensive renovations and opened Ardeo Mediterranean Taverna. Despite the time demands of a successful business, Joe has managed to establish a Pop Warner football operation as one of the many youth activities supported by the business. The success of Ardeo has led them to expand their business to both Main Street in Hyannis and Kings Way in Yarmouth Port.
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