Business Insider: Ave Maria’s Rising Business Scene
As home sales in Ave Maria continue to break records each year, a number of new businesses have also made their way into the town, adding to the number of conveniences in the community:
Owned and managed by local businessman Phong Ho, Vicky Bakery brings to Ave Maria an array of authentic Cuban pastries, dishes and desserts, perfect for anything from breakfast on-the-go to a delicious afternoon treat.
“We want to keep it authentic since it is a family-owned business. For over 50 years they’ve had the product and now they want to share it across the country; I’m happy to be a part of the family brand,” Ho said.
A longtime resident of Ave Maria, Ho is always looking for new business ventures that would cater to the needs of the community. Since opening a Tropical Smoothie Cafe 16 years ago, the businessman has brought a number of eateries to the Town Center.
“I’ve been here since 2008. I have always wanted to help develop and grow this town,” he said. In a way, it makes me feel good to provide what I feel are some essential things for this town, whether that’s dinner, breakfast, or a fun treat like Tropical Smoothie, which has been my rock since I started.”
On May 1, Blue Agave opened its doors to the public, debuting a fresh, modernized take on Mexican cuisine.
“The whole menu was built and bred by the whole staff. My mama’s remedies and recipes came in and, essentially, we changed them and Americanized them with a little Mexican spice,” said owner Allan Garcia. “We want it to be an experience as soon as you bite into the food.”
The restaurant’s clean-cut and cool interior creates an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere, offering the perfect background for your next Instagram post. “We want to give the experience of an upscale restaurant without the upscale prices,” said Garcia.
Teamwork and collaboration are at the core of Blue Agave’s company values; he attributes the success of his endeavor to his close-knit and supportive staff.
“I have a team of awesome people,” said Garcia. “This did not happen alone, it happened with the whole team. It takes something that big to run an operation like this.”
Ave Pack & Ship
Ave Pack & Ship has unpacked its boxes and moved into Olmi Medical Supply – located in the Publix Retail Shops – bringing the community a solution to all their packing and shipping needs.
Owner Nicole Manning was inspired to make the addition after observing the necessity for a nearby location that offered this essential service.
“I saw this as an opportunity to not only fulfill a need but also to contribute to the community by providing a much-needed service,” said Manning.
Ave Pack & Ship gives visitors the option to browse the medical products offered in-store, ship off their packages, or partake in any of the other services provided by the business.
“We offer numerous services from passport photos to faxing and copying, and additionally, drop-ship items to your home from our medical supply store,” Manning said.
Manning emphasizes customer satisfaction as a pillar of her business’ values. She believes that feedback from the community and their support allows her to cater to her customer’s needs.
“Ave Maria is a great location to own a business because of the town’s passion for bringing entertainment, services, and retail options to the area,” said Manning. “Business owners in Ave Maria work hard to provide the best customer service and cater to the needs of the community.”