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CHOPS
BUSINESS: Steak and seafood grill.
LEADERSHIP: Mike Lopercio and Mary
Coultrap, owners; Chrissy Dougherty, Pam Berg, Dave Fisher and Vicky Adessa, managers.
FOUNDED: 1989.
EMPLOYEES: 65.
SALES: In first year, $1.3 million;
1997, $2.4 million; 1998 goal, $2.6 million.
CUSTOMERS: East Valley families and
diners age 30 to 50.
ADDRESS: 1371 N. Alma School Road,
Chandler 85224.
PHONE: (602) 899-6735.
FAX: (602) 899-4192.
WEB SITE: CRdining.com.
RIGATONY'S
BUSINESS: Italian restaurant.
LEADERSHIP: Mike Lopercio, Mary Coultrap
and Michael Crann, owners; Susie Adams, Ray Greene, Gena O'Hehir and Heather Meade, managers.
FOUNDED: 1994.
EMPLOYEES: 50.
SALES: In first year, $1.1 million;
1997, $1.5 million; 1998 goal, $1.7 million.
CUSTOMERS: East Valley families and
senior citizens.
ADDRESS: 1374 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler
85224.
PHONE: (602) 899-1111.
FAX: (602) 899-9874.
WEB SITE: CRdining.com.
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Lopercio and Coultrap ignored the naysayers, dumping $350,000 from a bank loan into
repainting the pink walls and purple ceilings and launching RigaTony's.
Throughout their success, the twosome have insisted that their employees, whom they treat like family members,
have time to enjoy life. Some are teenagers or college students with goals for life after busing tables, while
others have careers there.
"We want them to have happy live well-adjusted lives," Lopercio said. "We a have families, and we
all work five days week."
Lopercio and Coultrap contribute to many community organizations, catering Drug Abuse Resistance Education and
Valley Big Brothers/Big Sisters functions and allowing Chandler police officers to raise money for Special Olympics
by waiting tables.
Camille Castille, superintendent of the Chandler Unified School District, said the pair have for 10 years picked
up the tabs for annual thank-you breakfasts for school volunteers. It's no continental breakfast, but a full slate
of eggs; breads, fresh fruits and juices and coffee.
"Business partnerships are critical to our success," Castille said. "Mike is just always very open
to working with us. He is delightfully supportive and very involved. He's extremely generous, opening the restaurant
to us in the morning, and he doesn't even blink an eye."
Janie Magruder can be reached at 444-7940 or at janie.magruder@pni.com via
e-mail.
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