Page 10 - Layout 1
P. 10

LOBI0220.qxp_Layout 1  1/27/20  1:46 PM  Page 8





              LOA Update




                    How Las Olas Became






                          MY HOME






                                                         By Erika Del Rio



                John Lennon once said “There’s nowhere you

                  can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be.”



                arrived in Fort Lauderdale                          Olas specifically to enjoy. I also took over the catering
                as a stop on my way to                              business for all three locations and we grew it tenfold
              IItaly to study art. I                                (Gran Forno Bakery, Café Del Mar & Gran Forno Pronto).
              ventured to Las Olas and                              Running the catering business brought me great joy and I
              from the first moment of                              truly enjoyed being part of my customer’s special
              arrival I met amazing                                 occasions such as weddings, birthdays, graduations,
              people. I was wowed by                                corporate events and more. Managing Gran Forno Pronto
              the quaintness of the                                 for so many years has taught me many valuable lessons
              Boulevard. I enjoyed                                  and strategies to transform a business on Las Olas
              meeting new people,                                   Boulevard.
              exploring the diverse                                 I want to tell you a personal story of an experience that
              menus, and admiring the                               just occurred earlier this January. I attended the ribbon
              local art and shops that the                          cutting for The Friendship Café. As an ADA advocate, I
              Boulevard provided. I was                             was touched and inspired at how genuine the purpose of
              overwhelmed by the                                    their mission is by giving jobs to people with disabilities. I
              openness that I received                              will continue to work with the city to improve ADA
              from everyone and was                                 accessibility on Las Olas. As my good friend, Jerrod Kerr,
              overjoyed to stay here longer.                        says “let’s make a world that works for everyone, where
                                                                    no one is left out.”
              What I was most in awe of, was how Las Olas reminded me
              of my childhood. I grew up just outside of Leon Guanajuanto,  I have spent many years on Las Olas and in this new
              Mexico - a town built in the 1500’s that has similar  decade I am dedicated to the goal of providing our
              architecture to the historic buildings in Las Olas. One of my  beloved locals with an exciting place to be and making
              fondest memories is gathering in the city center for Cervantino  Las Olas a destination for people from all over the world
              Festival which featured live music, dancing, community  to come to celebrate and enjoy.
              togetherness, and fun. Christmas on Las Olas depicts these  We are setting ourselves up for success, we are reaching
              memories so vividly that I felt at home again. I found a job on  for the stars and this team is my home!
              the beach and my future blossomed from there.
                                                                    I am grateful and honored to be the new Executive
              In 2012, I was promoted to General Manager of Gran    Director of the Las Olas Association.
              Forno Pronto. My team and I transformed it from a small
              café to a successful restaurant that people came to Las  See you on Las Olas!


          8                                         LAS OLAS BOULEVARD  & ISLES
   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15