Why Small Businesses Matter
Shop small, do big things for your community
Why Small Businesses Matter puts a spotlight on the local merchants who donate their time, talent, goods, and services for the betterment of our community. The shop local movement spreads virally as local businesses who are “tagged” have the opportunity to share their story!
You're IT Quartiere!
Four questions with Martin Bates, owner of Quartiere.
HamletHub thanks Fairfield County Bank for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!
Why did you start your business?
I love the artisan style of pizza you get in Naples, and fresh-made pasta (who doesn’t!) Having operated many restaurants in big cities, I was drawn to wanting a local neighborhood spot.
What is your best-selling product/service?
We’re pretty new so it seems everyone is trying everything. If I had to pick some - Americana Pizza (with pepperoni and hot honey), pasta al Limone with shrimp and our crispy potatoes are top sellers in food and Espresso Martini seems to be the most popular cocktail currently.
How many local businesses do you use to support your business (products and services) and can you name them?
Many - most of our beers come from the tri-state area (with many from CT and a couple from Stamford like Half-Full and Lock City), Beldotti Bakery, of course, local Connecticut food distributor, local wine company called Bacchanal (though I buy their products through the distributor they use). We are a neighborhood business (our name literally translates as ‘neighborhood’) so we love to serve our neighbors.
We are constantly re-imagining it. You have to stay relevant but we are pretty new. In the few months we’ve been open, we had 50% occupancy with restrictions, 100% with restrictions, and then restrictions lifting for outdoor than indoor. Each time (grateful though we are) means you have to adapt. We also suffer the same fate as everyone else in the restaurant industry - lack of people! We try our best to create the best environment we can so that everyone (customers and staff) leaves our place happy.
Quartiere is located at 51 Bank Street in Stamford. Visit Quartiere online here, and make sure to check out their Facebook and Instagram pages as well!
HamletHub thanks Fairfield County Bank for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!