Queen City Café & Gallery, affectionately nicknamed the “Q,” aims to be not just your next stop for lunch, but Titusville’s new community gathering place, a hub to get the town’s creative juices flowing.
One quick look around the café, and one can see the Q is serious about local creativity.
Hand-painted tabletops showcase local students’ artistic flair, art from regional artists hangs on the walls, and a small stage holds a stool, waiting for Titusville musicians to step up to the mike.
The “Q” is the brainchild of Tambra Warner Sabatini, who also runs the Titusville Council on the Arts. A stop in a Mexican bistro on vacation in Puetro Vallerta inspired her. Also hosting an art gallery, the bistro incorporated artwork as décor.
“I thought it’d be fun to create a place that was more than just a place to eat,” said Warner Sabatini.
She kept the idea in the back of her mind, but this spring, she partnered with friend Kitty Freeze to make her dream a reality.
Submitting a full business plan and a vision of how the Q would benefit and involve the community, the pair won “Downtown Titusville’s Next Entrepreneur Could Be You” competition, and received a prize package valued at $5,000 from the Titusville Chamber of Commerce.
“We want to be a clearing house for community information,” said queen of the kitchen, Kitty Freeze, who manages the menu and the staff. ”
Freeze trains her staff to be knowledgeable about community events, so that when outside visitors come in, Q staff can help circulate information about the community. She also stresses hospitality with Q staff. Instead of “Your welcome,” Q City staff responds to thanks with, “It’s my pleasure,” a response that Freeze says helps people feel invited.
“If you have the right attitude, that’s what makes the difference,” said Freeze.
The pair also wants Q customers to feel like they can move at their own pace with a fast-casual dining style, and free wifi encourages visitors to utilize the community space.
Warner Sabatini says they have the perfect location to reach into multiple segments of the Titusville community, including the nearby middle and high schools and the University of Pittsburgh-Titusville.
“Where do you go after an event if everything is closed except McDonalds and Perkins,” said Warner Sabatini, “We want the community involved.”
—-
Find “The ‘Q:’ Open for You” in Friday’s GoCrawfordCounty.com. Don’t forget to add your own articles, photos, and events directly online!
Recent Comments