[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 112 (Thursday, July 23, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S8034]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        COMMENDING KATIE'S CAFE

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, tourism represents Maine's largest 
economic sector, and as a result, many of my State's nearly 150,000 
small businesses are seasonal. But this year, between the deepest 
economic recession our country has faced since the Great Depression and 
a streak of unfortunate weather throughout Maine, these boutiques, 
shops, and restaurants are in many cases not experiencing the level of 
business they would traditionally. Despite these disparaging factors, 
one small restaurant in the town of Ogunquit, Katie's Cafe on Shore 
Road, recently undertook a significant and bold expansion to attract 
new customers.
  While Katie's Cafe on Shore Road is a new restaurant on the scene, 
having opened just last year, it has already taken noteworthy steps 
towards establishing itself as a preeminent member and integral part of 
the local community. Katie's is owned by Rich Yurko; Donna Andersen; 
Rob Leary; and Katie Yurko, Rich and Donna's mother for whom the 
restaurant is named. An Alberta, Canada, native, Katie and her husband 
Mike, along with their six children, are known for their abundant 
energy and hospitality. The Yurko family's first foray into the 
hospitality business occurred in 1999, when they purchased Breakfast on 
the Connecticut, a luxurious bed and breakfast in Lyme, NH.
  Although a new establishment, Katie's boasts a knowledgeable staff 
with years of experience in the restaurant industry. The cafe is run by 
David Carme, who brings with him a plethora of experience from some of 
Boston's finest restaurants, including Teatro, an upscale Italian 
restaurant in Boston's theatre district, and Mistral, a trendy French 
Mediterranean establishment in the city's south end. Katie's also added 
executive chef Jason Grant to the team in May. An experienced cook, 
Grant brings 20 years of culinary experience to this new position.
  Following a successful first year of operation last year, Katie's 
Cafe used the winter to expand its facilities, adding 40 new seats 
including a new porch seating area. Additionally, Katie's increased its 
kitchen space as well as the size of its lounge. With this recent 
expansion, Katie's Cafe serves as the perfect meeting place where 
customers are assured that they will receive a five star dining 
experience in a welcoming, relaxed social environment. With its 
expanded capacity, Katie's provides a unique locale for special events 
such as birthdays, weddings, receptions, and family holiday gatherings. 
Additionally, the cafe hosts ``Lounge Socials'' every Saturday and 
Sunday, complete with complementary appetizers and drink specials.
  In its short time on Shore Road, Katie's has already taken the 
initiative to join with other area businesses in making several 
community events successful. In particular, the restaurant helped 
sponsor last December's Christmas by the Sea festivities, and took part 
in the town's Cinco de Mayo weekend this past May. These annual 
celebrations are a true example of community spirit, and they draw new 
faces from across the region to explore Ogunquit and the surrounding 
towns of York County.
  A noteworthy seasonal small business that has quickly made a name for 
itself, Katie's Cafe has taken several concrete steps to ensure that it 
has a bright future beyond these tumultuous times. I congratulate 
everyone at Katie's Cafe for their vision and creativity, and wish them 
many more successful seasons.

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