Small Business Profile - Mississauga's Social Eatery

In conversation with Mississauga entrepreneur Ross Inouye, one of the owners for Social Eatery in Meadowvale and Union Social Eatery.

1. What exactly does your business do?
We're a casual dining and social venue. 

2. What inspired you to start your business?
The love of hospitality. And Food. We really like food. 
We are huge fans of Mississauga.  We opened our first restaurant, Union Social Eatery on Financial Drive 9 years ago.  When we saw this location, 3 years ago we jumped at it. We opened Social Eatery based on the same recipe for success we had at Union Social, being very serious about Food and Service. We focus on those two things constantly as well as simply having fun and not taking ourselves too seriously. Mississauga has really supported us.  We now have three restaurants here.

3. How has your business adapted to the new world?
Obviously we've added  new procedures,  masks, eyewear, endless amounts of hand sanitizer etc. But restaurants are one of the safest businesses for sanitary procedures around so it wasn't like we had to flip a switch and say "OK let's focus on guest safety". We were doing that already. 
Takeout and Delivery have become huge for us.

4. What are you most proud of from a business perspective?
The support from our Staff and Guests has been unbelievable. I cannot thank them enough for all the support through this past year. When this is over there's going to be a big Thank You Party.

5. What's been the largest obstacle to overcome and how did you do it?
The largest obstacle? I guess I would probably have to say when we were told we actually weren't allowed to have guests in the building. Or on the patio. That makes things very tough for restaurants. 
We haven't overcome it yet. Michelle, our Bartender, is working on a Covid cure. She says she's making progress. But I'm pretty sure she's just drinking wine. 

6. What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs?
It think that for anyone starting out it’s a great idea to be a productive, upstanding member of the community that you’re in. Hire local people whenever you can, Be active in things that are important to you and your community. We’ve learned that if you are loyal to your community they will be loyal to you.

7. What message do you have for the community as we continue to navigate the global pandemic?
Look out for each other. Wear a mask. Social distance. Wash your Hands. Don't hold a party in a storage locker. Support your local restaurants.