The owner of the Mayfield Heights Scrambler Marie’s, Toni D’Agostino, modest as he is, is the true hero of the café’s success. Being the owner, D’Agostino is meant to monitor productivity and the finances of the small breakfast bistro; however, he often goes above and beyond the call of his regular duties.
The 60-year old makes weekly visits to the diner on its busiest days, not only to check up on the status of its operation, but to walk around and make conversation with the customers sitting in the chairs and booths. Those who accept his company do not regret it, as he truly tries to own their trust and show a warm personality to every customer.
Jio Valentino, age 29, manager of the bistro, said, “Toni does a great job for a man that never owned a restaurant before. Toni really made me feel like I was whole. Back in Thanksgiving of 2009 when I first got here from Columbus, my car broke down and he sent a pit car to pick me up and let me stay at his house.”
Those sitting alone or who have little to talk about are visited by the jolly man to talk about anything they want. The food, the atmosphere, the news, he brings them to the table until the food is brought; afterwards, he politely takes his leave to let them eat in peace.
Customers that have been greeted by D’Agostino before sometimes come in and ask if he is there again. As well as customers, D’Agostino makes himself known to his employees with jokes and quick conversations while they work. Sophomore Ashley Lubecky has been working as a hostess at Scrambler Marie’s for about six months and said, “I can’t imagine the restaurant without Toni.”
But D’Agostino doesn’t ignore his family when giving so much attention to Scrambler Marie’s. Ann, his wife, also comes in on Sundays to work with her husband helping clear tables, seat customers and talk to customers.
D’Agostino’s wife puts as much effort in the bistro as her husband as she also believes in her husband’s employees and gets to know them as well as she can. And as well as seeing his wife, on some occasions, he brings his daughter, son-in-law, and newborn grand-daughter to the bistro.
Scrambler Marie’s has had steady success for the 20 months that it has been in Mayfield Heights. D’Agostino said, “It is a nice place for people to be, and the atmosphere makes them comfortable.”And indeed the atmosphere is made very comfortable with D’Agostino and his wife’s hands-on management at the local eatery (getting to know their customers, employees, and situations in the workplace).
Scrambler Marie’s is a 16-restaurant Toledo-based breakfast bistro chain franchise with the slogan, “We’re not just for Breakfast Anymore!” However, in July of 2009, the bistro took a big step and built a new restaurant in Mayfield Heights in Northern Ohio. Since then, the café has been getting steady business from the town’s residents. Its home-style yet modern look and big portions, as well as its wonderful staff, have customers coming back again and again. They also come to see D’Agostino’s bright and welcoming disposition.