Crasqui

said Ramirez, who moved to the U. S. as a political refugee in 2016. “I always wanted to come back to my roots. Since I moved out of Venezuela, a part of me has always missed it…. I left my country because I didn’t have another option and that creates a hole in your soul. It [Crasqui] was an idea for me to bring that piece of home here.”

The restaurant seats 60 and has a 14-seat bar and to open the restaurant of her dreams – one with an open layout, a bar that invites good conversation, and an assortment of amenities including a patio.

100-seat patio. The plan is to bring in an assortment of entertainers throughout the year to perform either on the patio or inside. Initially, the restaurant will be open 4-9 p.m., Tues.-Fri., and 4-10 p.m., Sat.-Sun. It will likely open for brunch on the weekends in the near future.

Vintage Records, Turntables & Stereo Equipment

Ramirez has a bachelor’s in business administration and a culinary degree from the Central University of Venezuela. Her first experience in the kitchen was helping her mom and grandma cook for their 20-plus-member family each day. After graduation, she worked at several fine dining restaurants, then co-owned a restaurant and later co-owned a catering business. After relocating to St. Paul, she landed a job in the kitchen at The Lexington, under nationally renowned chef Jack Riebel. Within about three years, she worked her way up to executive sous chef. In early 2020 she resigned with plans

Now Accepting Applications

ApplicationsAccepting

Paraprofessional - Work with students in a classroom assisting teachers, before/after-school child care OR supervise groups of students. Full-time or part-time.

Starting base wage $19.63/hr. (DOQ).

Bus Drivers - Safely transport students to and from school. Paid training & CDL certification. Starting base wage $22.90/hr. (DOQ).

Nutrition Services - Prepare and serve breakfast and lunch for students. Starting base wage $16.50/hr.

Custodian - Perform cleaning, event set-up/clean-up, and ensure safety of buildings. Full-time starting base wage $21.76/hr. Part-time and seasonal starting base wage $16.80/hr. (DOQ).

Kids Club Supervisor - Lead a school-age child care program in one of our elementary buildings and supervise paraprofessional staff. Full-time, 12-month. Starting base wage $21.50/hr. (DOQ).

For more information and to apply: sowashco.org/careers

The timing was less than opportune; the pandemic was announced three days later. Struggling to find a space to meet her needs, she settled on a different concept and opened Arepa Bar at Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis in fall 2020.

Arepa Bar serves staple meals of Venezuela such as arepas and empanadas, a contrast to Crasqui that will use traditional ingredients but offer dishes crafted personally by Ramirez. Arepa is now fully operational with its own manager, and Ramirez will spend the next few months putting her full energy into Crasqui. Several of the people she supervised at The Lexington have joined her at Crasqui, including her sous chef.

Volunteer In Your Community

Lutheran Social Service of MN is seeking volunteers age 55+ in your area to provide companionship to older adults or mentor school-age children. Volunteers commit to regular weekly hours for a tax-free stipend and mileage reimbursement. Please contact Brinn Krabbenhoft at 651.310.9455, or Brinn.Krabbenhoft@ lssmn.org for more information and to make an impact in your community.

“I want to teach people about Venezuelan food,” said Ramirez. “This menu and even the names of the drinks, that’s home for me. All of it represents my memories and what I really miss about my country….

I’m taking the responsibility to educate people and bring them something they probably don’t know a lot about.”

Safe Summer Nights

ers, beverages and outdoor activities 5-7 p.m., Thursday, July 20 at El Rio Vista Recreation Center, 179 E. Robie St. For more information, visit www.stpaul.gov or call 651-266-5485.

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