DD&F was very happy to meet Mark and Karen Vojtek, owners of Culinary Solutions, back in November. “Once we met them and listened to their story, we could really identify with their struggle. Being a business owner in this down economy, a husband and wife duo trying to run a business and also manage family life at the same time…their story really touched us,” says Sandy Bruce.
Mark and Karen had been through a rough couple of years with their restaurant through the recession, and had voiced their concerns about moving forward with their business. They were facing serious financial hardship and did not know how long they could maintain their seven year old business. “We did not think twice when we were approached to be part of a renovation to the café to boost morale and keep it alive. We knew right away that our area of expertise could really help make a difference and the Mark’s Cafe project got very exciting in a short amount of time,” said Bruce.
Before we knew it, there were at least six businesses on board, and board meetings began titling the project “Saving Mark’s Café.” DD&F was on the team, and was responsible for rebranding, designing and fabricating a fabulous new interior, to match the inside of the cafe with the quality and caliber of the food that comes out of Mark’s kitchen.
BEFORE PHOTOS OF CULINARY SOLUTIONS:
Other businesses involved in the “Saving Mark’s Café” project include Farnham Design; a designer in charge of the new logo, menus and rebrand, Bright Bokeh; a team of local videographers, Chris Loomis Photography; a photographer who was responsible for before/during/after photos, Vanderwall PR, a local PR representative who helped distribute news about the project, Social Media Mad Scientists; a company who helped with our viral videos and facebook page, The Follow Us Agency, the Saving Mark’s Cafe project manager, Esquared Builders, general contractor responsible for demolition, TR Painting painted the new interior,Dale Cartwright Flooring completed the new floor, and Paul Swek; a local artist who created the tabletop design overlays.
After many meetings, decisions, and networking, the restaurant demolition began on Monday, May 9th, with Mother’s Day as their last day operating as Culinary Solutions. The floor installation, and painting followed the same week, and , and on May 16th, DD&F came to the restaurant to install all of the new components, and completely revamp the café.
Here are the original renderings that were presented by DD&F:
DEMOLITION
DD&F INSTALLATION
Mark’s Café opened the doors for customers for the reveal on May 19th. AFTER PHOTOS
The café had a “Re-Grand Opening” on May 25th. Mark’s Café is located on the corner of Rural and Guadalupe at 6340 S. Rural Road, Suite 120 Tempe, Arizona. For information on Mark’s Café, please visit www.markscafeaz.com or you can call 480-839-6455.
Links to news coverage on Mark’s Café:
6/9/2011 – Arizona Republic – http://www.azcentral.com/community/tempe/articles/2011/06/09/20110609tempe-culinary-solutions-cafe-tempe-gets-makeover-new-name-marks-cafe.html?source=nletter-news
5/25/2011 – ABC 15 – http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_southeast_valley/tempe/tempe-restaurant-saved-by-community
5/17/2011 – East Valley Tribune – http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/local/the_valley/ahwatukee/article_e51153d0-a09a-500f-9ae9-36a824c378f5.html
5/17/2011 – Ahwatukee Foothills News – http://www.ahwatukee.com/news/article_5b76a9d8-8012-11e0-83ec-001cc4c002e0.html
5/16/2011 – Mouth X Southwest – http://mouthbysouthwest.com/2011/05/16/customers-help-turn-culinary-solutions-cafe-into-marks-cafe/
5/13/2011 – Arizona Republic – http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/dining/articles/2011/05/13/20110513culinary-solutions-cafe-tempe-changes-name-marks-cafe.html
5/10/2011 – Phoenix New Times – http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/bella/2011/05/struggling_tempe_cafe_gets_sav.php#more
5/9/2011 – Fox 10 – http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/business/hurting-cafe-in-tempe-gets-free-renovation-5-9-2011
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