[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 103 (Wednesday, June 19, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S3839]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING TWO PEAS CAFE

  Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, as chairman of the U.S. Senate 
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, I have the 
opportunity to highlight a unique small business every week. Small 
businesses serve local communities and contribute to our Nation's 
economy. This week, it is my honor to recognize Two Peas Cafe of 
LaBelle, FL, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.
  Two Peas Cafe was founded by childhood friends, Deborah Buchard 
Klemmer and Vicki Reynolds. Growing up together, Deborah and Vicki 
spent a number of years working at Deborah's grandmother Ella's 
restaurant. During that time, they saw firsthand the positive impact 
that the restaurant had on the community as well as its local and 
national fame, which included a feature on the Travel channel. After 
Ella's restaurant closed in March 2011, Deborah and Vicki were 
determined to carry on her legacy. In August 2013, the duo opened Two 
Peas Cafe, in honor of Ella's long-time description of them, with the 
goal of providing the next generation with the same quality service and 
community atmosphere they had grown up with.
  Today, Two Peas Cafe not only continues to serve customers throughout 
southwest Florida, but also carries on the tradition of Ella's famous 
homemade pies and original southern-style recipes. With a reputation 
for good food and a friendly atmosphere, Two Peas Cafe is often packed 
with eager customers. Deborah and Vicki do not take sole credit for the 
success of the restaurant, however. They attribute their success to 
community support. When these two friends decided to open up their own 
cafe, their family, friends, and neighbors rallied behind them to get 
the restaurant up and running. By pooling their unique skills and 
resources, the LaBelle community not only contributed to the 
establishment of Two Peas Cafe, but also its success.
  Considering their cafe a community establishment, Deborah and Vicki 
remain committed to fundraising, supporting, and participating in 
LaBelle area events. One example of this community commitment is Two 
Peas' annual support of Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society. 
Not only do Deborah and Vicki organize a yearly team to raise money and 
participate in the event, but for the past 3 years Vicki has been one 
of the program coordinators. In this role, Vicki has been able to 
motivate friends, family, and Two Peas staff to join together for a 
great cause. At LaBelle's Relay for Life this past March, the Two Peas 
Cafe team raised more than $20,000 and placed second in the event. 
Clearly, small businesses like Two Peas Cafe are just as much a force 
of community service as they are of economic growth.
  Deborah and Vicki exemplify the dedication to service that we all as 
Americans share. As successful entrepreneurs, they recognized that they 
were uniquely positioned to bring their community together for a great 
cause. I am honored to recognize Deborah, Vicki, and the entire team at 
Two Peas Cafe as the Senate Small Business of the Week. Companies like 
Two Peas Cafe make me proud to represent Florida, and I look forward to 
watching their continued growth and success.

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