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John Hiebert and His Now-Burned Café Roma Win Small Business of the Year

Right around the time John Hiebert found out he had won the St. John Small Business of the Year award, his business almost burned to the ground.
"It’s an honor to be recognized," said Hiebert. "Bittersweet was the word I was going to use. The fire is obviously a tragedy."
Hiebert owns Café Roma. He was accompanied by his wife Michelle, his daughter Ashley and his executive chef Robert Fleming on Wednesday afternoon as the Virgin Islands Small Business Development Center and the U.S. Small Business Administration gave awards to 12 small businesses, businessmen, businesswomen and organizations at Marriott’s Frenchman’s Reef Hotel.
There is no small business owner that epitomizes the spirit of small businesspeople more than Hiebert as he fights to keep his second-story restaurant alive, said Leonor Dottin, VISBDC state director.
Dottin said the award committee evaluations are based on continuity, management, growth and sound business practices.
Hiebert said Dottin informed him he was being considered for an award in April. After Dottin met with John and Michelle for 45 minutes to discuss the award, Dottin arranged for a crew to go to Café Roma to film a montage for the awards ceremony. Shortly afterwards, on Hiebert’s 23rd marriage anniversary no less, a fire gutted his establishment.
Dottin said Hiebert’s story is one of admiration. “I am saddened by the unfortunate event that destroyed Café Roma just two days after we filmed his success to share at our events," Dottin said. "Every time I meet with a small business owner I learn from each one of them a little more about persevering."
Café Roma survived Hurricane Hugo and Hurricane Marilyn but the fire damaged the restaurant more than both of those natural disasters combined. The fire destroyed the restaurant’s ceiling, roof and most of its interior. Hiebert said he’s rebuilding the roof and installing new plumbing. His landlord’s insurance will pay for the roof, plumbing and new wiring. But Hiebert’s fire insurance is not covering any of the lost equipment, furniture, nor any of the contents inside the restaurant. Those costs will be paid out-of-pocket.
The St. Thomas Restaurant Group is fundraising by donating proceeds from specialty wines, beers and liquors to Café Roma, Hiebert said. Hiebert said Banana Deck, The Beach Bar, High Tide Bar & Grill, Caribbean Fish Market, Sunset Grille and The Cellar have all contributed funds, pledged funds or scheduled fundraisers for him. Hiebert plans to use these funds to by new equipment for the restaurant and re-open by October.
Wednesday’s award is just another sign of the business community he’s been part of for decades rallying around him, Hiebert said.
"It keeps me going," Hiebert said. "All the calls, messages, Facebook posts. Without it would be very hard."
The theme of 2013 Small Business Week is "Small Business: Persevering and growing your business one day at a time." Carl Christensen, senior area manager of U.S. Small Business Administration said the Small Business Week is "without a doubt" the most important week for the organization.
Yvette Collazo, district director for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands offices, attended Wednesday’s ceremony and heaped praise on the award-winners.
"Small businesses are the heart of economic development here and throughout the U.S.," Collazo said. "They’re the key to keeping our economy going."
The U.S. Small Business Administration chose Jose Lima of Gasworks Inc. as its St. Thomas Entrepreneur of the Year. Lima is a business owner who also leases his businesses out to others. Lima opened Gasworks Inc. in 2006 as the only employee but now he employs his two daughters. Lima, who lost a son to gun violence in 2011, dedicated the award to his family.
"I’m honored," Lima said. "Thanks to my parents but most of all God."
There were several honorees from St. Thomas and St. John Wednesday afternoon awarded during the ceremony. The 2013 Small Business Advocate of the Year was awarded to the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce. Special recognition was given to Executive Director Joseph Aubain and President Sebastiano Paiewonsky Cassinelli.
Synergy Fitness and Wellness Center co-owners Bonnie Barr and Eileen Short won the 2013 Nascent Small Business of the Year.
2013 St. Thomas Small Business of the Year went to Mail Plus and its president, Anna Garcia, and its chief executive officer, Alvery Smith.
The U.S. Small Business Administration chose Angie Smith of Viva Villas Inc. as its St. John Entrepreneur of the Year.
Scotiabank was named Bank of the Year in St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix.
Mary and Herbert Sanders of Continuum Care Inc. will be awarded St. Croix Entrepreneur of the Year on Thursday.
The St. Croix awards ceremony will take place at the St. Croix Carambola Beach Resort and Spa. These awards ceremonies are being held in conjunction with the VISBDC’s Small Business Week, which began Sunday and ends Saturday.
Other honorees on St. Croix will include Salt River Marina and its chief operating officer, Kimberly Jones. Jones will be awarded 2013 Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year.
PC Landscaping co-owners Peter Clifford and Theresa Clifford will receive the 2013 Entrepreneurial Success Award.
VISBDC chose Homeland Collections Portrait Gallery as its 2013 St. Croix Nascent Small Business of the Year. Owner Denise Bennerson will accept the award for the gallery.
Quality Electric Supply will be awarded the 2013 St. Croix Small Business of the Year. The company’s president, Karl Bauknight, will be on hand to accept the honor.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to clarify which insurance was covering what repairs.
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