Cassie and Rich Parente
Clock Tower Grill, Brewster
Livestock farmers and farm-to-table restaurateurs Rich and Cassie Parente have been working together in the food and beverage space, on and off, for more than 15 years. They met when he was a chef and she was a server; one movie date later, and they were hooked. As partners in love, life, and business, they opened Clock Tower about 12 years ago with the goal of fixing the “broken food system” by putting out a higher quality product while not always looking at the bottom line.
What’s the best part of sharing a career?
We enjoy each other’s company and respect each other’s opinions. We have the same ideals and we’re on the same page.
Do you spend your day off with each other?
We spend pretty much all of our time together, working at the restaurant and on our farm. We like doing things together, including going out to dinner.
Advice for other married business partners?
Your ideas have to align. It should be easy, natural; things should just click into place.
Couples that play together stay together, but couples that work together…
create a unified bond.
Innis Lawrence and Sophie Peltzer-Rollo
Ollie’s Group, High Falls & Kingston
The team behind this string of locally loved eateries (Ollie’s Pizza, Ollie’s Slice Shop, Eliza, Fletcher & Lu) met nearly two decades ago at a burger joint in Brooklyn, where he was bartending as she waited tables. They detoured into separate careers for a spell, but dreamed of opening a place of their own, which they did in the summer of 2020.
Do you spend your day off with each other?
We don’t get too many days off, but we spend them doing something fun as a family.
Advice for other married business partners?
Carve out time to be together outside of work. Easier said than done, but so important.
Couples that play together stay together, but couples that work together…
grow together.
Jennifer and Joseph Dalu
Le Petit Bistro, Rhinebeck
The dynamic Dalus have been business partners for over 25 years, beginning when they purchased their present-day restaurant space, but their relationship took shape back in college. Although the future Mrs. Dalu went on to pursue a corporate dream job in NYC after graduation, “Joseph’s insatiable love for cooking and the hospitality industry pulled me in.”
What’s the best part of sharing a career?
Being restaurateurs helped greatly in raising a family. It’s so beneficial when you can make your own schedule.
Do you spend your day off with each other?
We don’t, per se, get a day off, but we definitely take time out for ourselves, for self-love, exercise, and balance.
Advice for other married business partners?
I would recommend working together as a married couple. You can build a stronger business through cooperating and achieving.
Couples that play together stay together, but couples that work together…
achieve and build dreams together.
Madi Taylor and Luke Peters
Darlings, Tillson
An item for four years, but working together for eight, the husband-and-wife owners of this roadhouse-style eatery got to know each other at Huckleberry in New Paltz (since closed), when she was hired as his barback. “Everyone had a crush on Luke except for me, but eventually I succumbed,” says Taylor, who admits she thought hubby was “really mean when I met him, but he is actually just really good at his job.”
What’s the best part of sharing a career?
There’s a lot of joy and pride when things are going right.
Do you spend your day off with each other?
We really use our time off together to just chill. We stay home, clean, hang with our dogs, cook dinner, or go out to eat.
Advice for other married business partners?
Prepare yourself! It’s not for the faint of heart. We are best friends and respect each other, but be prepared to argue. At the end of the day, we really just support one another. If you allow it, you can just get closer.
Couples that play together stay together, but couples that work together.
fight together! Or, maybe, problem-solve together.
Vittorio Lanni and Kimberly Auth Lanni
Lanni’s Cucina Verace Italiana, Sparkill
Trattoria Da Vittorio, Piermont
Alcohol has been known to bring folks together, and that’s how it happened for the owners of this pair of popular Italian spots in Rockland County. They met while working at a wine and bottle shop in New York City about 10 years ago, and today, she takes care of the bar while he runs the kitchen.
Do you spend your day off with each other?
We don’t take days off; we work seven days a week.
Advice for other married business partners?
We each have a responsibility that we are in charge of. As long as we’re not stepping on each other’s toes we get along just fine.
Couples that play together stay together, but couples that work together…
should only get stronger in the relationship. That’s a true test of how your marriage goes through the ups and downs of day-to-day situations.
Brianne Myers and Marc Taxiera
Augustine’s Salumeria, Mamaroneck
Vida, Thornwood
This well-oiled Westchester County culinary machine has been toiling as one for two decades, but it was several years before their business arrangement turned into something more. They started out with a few “really bad dates,” says Taxiera. “But after an amazing meal, I wore her down.”
Do you spend your day off with each other?
We run errands separately but come late afternoon, we’ll have a nice bottle of wine, some time together, and a movie.
Advice for other married business partners?
Yell at each other during service (remember, it’s only service). Listen. Respect each other and appreciate what the other person does.
Couples that play together stay together, but couples that work together…
usually drive home in silence.
