Today we’d like to introduce you to Jimmy Hooper
Hi Jimmy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have worked in the restaurant industry since I was in high school. In Cincinnati I worked with the Tavern Restaurant Group at deSha’s and Nicholson’s. Starting as a busser, I moved my way up to a food runner, prep cook and line cook. After attending the University of Cincinnati, I decided I wanted to make a career in the food industry and went to culinary school at the Culinary Institute of America in New York. After graduation I was a banquet chef at The Fairmont Hotel in Chicago. My wife and I decided to move back to Cincinnati after our daughter was born and I was hired as the Executive Chef at Ivy Hills in Newtown. A few years later when our son was born I decided that the banquet business was just too time consuming for our family. I worked late nights and every weekend. So, I took a step back and worked in corporate dining for a few years. Being home in the evenings and weekends made a big difference in my work/life balance.
Meanwhile, my brother-in-law seized an opportunity to purchase an old house in downtown Loveland and renovate it into a coffee & juice bar called Fresh Press. I accepted his offer to come on as the general manager. When he decided to move on he agreed to sell the business to us. I opened Hometown Cafe in February 2019. I love working so close to home and appreciate how supportive the Loveland community is of small businesses.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
While we have a fantastic location on the Loveland Bike Trail, it also means that our business is seasonal and weather-dependent. On a warm, sunny Saturday we will be slammed, but on a cold, rainy Tuesday we will be slow. It can be hard to staff appropriately and minimize waste as a result. We are completely self-funded, so we really have to capitalize on our busy season to make it through the winter.
Our other challenges are ones that all restaurants face like trying to keep up with the rising cost of goods without raising our prices too much. Like all restaurants that survived through COVID, we had to be creative to make it through to the other side. One thing we did that we kept as a result is our pre-order Thanksgiving meals for two.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
A fast-casual cafe on the Loveland Bike Trail (Little Miami Scenic Trail). We make fresh, tasty breakfast and lunch items that fuel your day. Whether that day is spent biking the trail, shopping at the local boutiques or catching up with a friend on our spacious patio. Our customers equally welcome to stop in for a quick coffee, smoothie or snack or sit and stay awhile with a full meal.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Getting involved with the local Business Chamber has been very beneficial. It is great to meet other area business owners because you can partner up on events and promotions. Even just allowing them to put a face with a name so that the next time they have a choice for where to eat, they might be more likely to pick our restaurant now that they know us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hometowncafeloveland.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hometowncafeloveland/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hometowncafeloveland/
