Café Opens Doors, Serves up Love and Small Bites in Lake Wales

Peach and Pepper of Polk County

Nestled in the historic district of downtown Lake Wales, a charming outdoor café is bringing a new taste to the community. Gina D’Ambrosio, the owner of Peach and Pepper, combines her Italian and Filipino heritage to craft unique small bites that are as vibrant as her passion for cooking. After moving to Florida, she saw a gap in the local dining scene and decided to bring her dream to life by opening a café where locals and visitors could gather and enjoy good food in a relaxed outdoor setting.

“I have been in Florida for just about a year and a half. In coming to Florida, there were a lot of nice restaurants but not a lot of variety. My ethnicity is Italian and Filipino and if anyone knows that nationality, we are into food and family. So, with that being said, I felt that there was just not enough diversity, at least in the area in which I live. So, I thought, wouldn’t that be interesting if we tried something,” D’Ambrosio shared.

Starting a business can be overwhelming, but with the guidance of the Florida SBDC at USF and business consultant Randy Hayes, D’Ambrosio turned her vision into reality. Hayes provided her with essential tools and insights, helping her develop a robust business plan, secure her EIN, and register her Limited Liability Company (LLC) on Sunbiz.

“Florida SBDC at USF has been so helpful. Whether it was going to the tax collector and checking that box off, working on my website, establishing different ideas. Randy was so very good at checking off our list of things that we did on a daily basis when I met with him,” D’Ambrosio said.

“Randy also assisted in the Sunbiz, which I had no ideas what that was. Through the fictitious name, the LLC, the EIN. All these acronyms, I had no clue as to what they were, but he assisted, and it was seamless,” she added.

Since its opening, Peach and Pepper has quickly become a favorite spot in the neighborhood, drawing in customers with its delicious menu and inviting ambiance. “My business has not only grown from a concept to a reality, but with the customers that have come in, they’re intermingled at times. I see different tables of people talking, sharing different businesses,” she said.

The business owner was happy to speak about the support and community that continues to show up for her small business as well as ways that she gives back. “I also did start a pool of local businesses in the area dropping their business cards in a box. So, we do a drawing once a month for a free lunch for the customer and two of their coworkers and that is all within downtown Lake Wales,” D’Ambrosio added with pride.

D’Ambrosio didn’t fail to mention how her family has helped, expressing how her son, Adam, helped come up with the business name and her daughter, Kelsey, gave her input with a tasting to finalize the menu.

The business owner is also happy with herself for sticking through the process in order to open the doors of her business. “My biggest success is a little bit of just me personally. That I set the tone to do this and this all went into fruition within three months, it’s awesome. I’ve never stayed on a diet for three months, it’s been incredible,” D’Ambrosio expressed.

Looking ahead, D’Ambrosio plans to continue leveraging the Florida SBDC at USF’s resources as her business grows. “Well, hopefully, in perhaps maybe a year’s time, if not less, I will need to expand my location and will need Randy’s expertise in advising me in what direction to go and how to set and accomplish my projections and goals,” she said.

The passionate business owner also mentioned that she would like to learn more with her business consultant on subjects that will make her business thrive. “I would definitely like to explore the woman-owned business certification through SBDC. I would definitely inquire, and be a part of that, and I would like to share whatever I can with other women out there,” D’Ambrosio said.

To fellow entrepreneurs, she has this advice: “Your first step is to reach out to SBDC at USF and grab your lucky book because Randy will sit down and lead you every step of the way,” D’Ambrosio said. “You will leave Randy’s office feeling heard and validated and like you learned so much,” she added.