User:Lisak.social/Z's Cafe a Social Venture

Z's Cafe a Social Venture new article content ... Z's Café is a casual, family-owned cafe and social enterprise in Fort Worth, Texas, United States.

Contents

1 History 2 Social Entrepreneurship 3 Menu 4 Awards 5 Locations 6 References 7 External links

History Z's Cafe began as a joint venture between non-profit Samaritan House and Janet Z. Capua Catering, LLC. The mother-son team of Janet Z. and Carlo Capua started their home-based catering business in 2008. The Z’s Café model was not only to run a successful café and catering business, but to be an integrated community partner, providing jobs for residents at a local nonprofit, and mutually beneficial business development partnerships with other small business owners.[2]

In summer 2008, the Capuas took a tour of Samaritan House, a local non-profit that provides housing and support for people with HIV, AIDS, and other special needs. Carlo, who had recently visited the country of Swaziland (which has the highest per capita HIV infection rate in the world - 26% of adults) wanted to learn more about HIV on a local level. The commercial kitchen at Samaritan House created the opportunity for their first partnership by renting kitchen space in exchange for boxed lunches.[3]

In December 2008, a small cafe in the Fort Worth Community Arts Center was vacated, and the space was offered to Samaritan House. Steve Dutton, Samaritan House President and CEO, immediately saw the opportunity to created much-needed jobs for Samaritan House residents, many of whom had a criminal record or had recently been homeless.[4] The Capuas would provide the food and business knowledge, and Samaritan House would provide employees. The name "Z's Cafe" was shortened from Janet Capua's maiden name, Zito. The name would pay tribute to her parents who were "both terrible cooks, yet ironically inspired me to figure it out for myself at age 10", Janet would recount.

Social Entrepreneurship Recognizing the value of social capital among local, small businesses, Z's Cafe donates to 100+ local nonprofits and fundraisers every year. Marketing for many of these fundraisers includes a mutual agreement between the Café and the organization to reach out to the other’s customer base not only to generate sales leads but also to raise general awareness of each cause. These strategic relationships provide both organizations increased opportunities through community partnership.

The company currently employs 14 part-time staff, plus Janet (owner/chef) and Carlo (owner/general manager). The Z’s Café staff many of whom, due to a variety of circumstances, have not held a job in several years, are able to re-learn valuable skills thus building the confidence and independence they need to return to the community-at-large.

In September 2009, Z’s Café partnered with Cuisine for Healing, a fellow start-up business, “committed to making nutritious, delicious food readily available to people combating disease while providing education about the power of healing food”. [5] This partnership expanded Z’s menu options and created additional jobs for Samaritan House residents.

Menu Z's Cafe offers Italian-influenced eclectic fare from salads to lasagna, including organic and vegetarian options. Awards Z's Cafe was voted "Best Healthy Lunch" in 2010 in Dallas/Fort Worth by the WFAA "A-List." Designated a "Noble" company by "www.goodbizguide.com"

Locations Z's Cafe is located in the Fort Worth Community Arts Center at 1300 Gendy St., Fort Worth, TX 76107.