Restaurateurs Announce Joint Openings of Black-owned Businesses Red Star Restaurant and Sip & Savor Coffee Shop in Matteson

Collaboration Brings Together “Best of Both Worlds” for Black communities in the Southland

 

Restaurateurs Announce Joint Openings of Black-owned Businesses Red Star Restaurant 

and Sip & Savor Coffee Shop in Matteson


     Chicago’s Matteson neighborhood is about to get a boost with the opening of two new eateries from black-owned businesses. Experienced entrepreneurs, Adam Shorter, and Trez Pugh have announced the joint openings of their black-owned restaurant Red Star and Sip & Savor coffee house. The collaborators will host a media preview of their restaurants on January 26th for the press to get a feel for the spaces and the unique vibe that they each bring to Matteson.

     Shorter’s vision for Red Star is to create a happy place for the community where friends and family can gather and business can be handled. The restaurant caters to Matteson’s broad community of families, entrepreneurs and college students.  Known for his prolific community activism, Shorter felt it was important to invest in his own community and to partner with another black-owned business to help set a precedent for future establishments in the community.

     “If we continue to build here, we know others will invest in the Southland” noted Shorter. “We have come to realize that big box restaurants don’t want to come to minority communities, so I took on the initiative to build what our community needs. My goal is to build top quality African American-owned restaurants, our community deserves nothing less.”

     Shorter said that he decided to partner with Sip & Savor because it was one of the few African American coffeehouses around. In bringing their resources together, Shorter and Pugh can share the cost of marketing, communication, and various other overhead expenses.

     Said Shorter, “Your vision might be too big for you independently but together we can do great things.  We are here to set the tone and let businesses know we are stronger together.”

Pugh jumped on the opportunity to collaborate with Shorter and was encouraged through an introduction from his marketing partner, Keeana Barber, who pointed out that Shorter and Pugh shared similar characteristics when it came to quality, service, and community. Both Shorter and Pugh were Chicago Defender Men of Excellence and Small Businessman of the Year several times.

     “It’s extremely important for black businesses to remain visible for our youth, consistent for our customers, and helpful towards the community” said Pugh. “My goal has always been to create jobs and change communities. During these most difficult and challenging times, it is extremely important that we show resilience and fortitude.  I keep a high standard for all my coffee houses.  We base our reputation on what I call the Five C's (Crisp, Clean, Classy, Consistent, Customer Service).  I want people to partake in great coffee, great food, and great conversation!”

     The restaurants will have a combined footprint of 5,000 square feet, featuring a modern upscale feel, an area for live entertainment, an outdoor patio and gaming options. 

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