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Jaime Stratico, who had worked part-time at his
establishment for the past eight years. Actually, three
years ago, she had considered purchasing the restaurant but
could not come to satisfactory terms with the owner.
However, the hurricane re-lit the desire to sell, terms were
agreed upon and today Jamie is fulfilling a lifelong dream
of owning her own restaurant. Currently, Jaime employs a
staff of eleven including a full time manager.
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Jaime Stratico |
When Jaime was just a baby her
parents would often attempt to introduce her to new
and what she must have thought pretty strange
looking food, including shrimp and clams on the half
shell. They would even tempt her at times by placing
a whole lobster on her high chair tray. Her love
and interest in food was off to a fast and early
start.
Jaime’s relationship with her grandparents was also
centered around food. She recalls fond memories of
spending time with them. Her grandfather
often took her |
| clamming and over time taught her how to
make Linguini with a Clam Sauce which has become one
of her favorite dishes. Her grandmother further
encouraged her interest in the
kitchen with the aroma of
fresh baked breads and desserts. Food was always at
the heart of most family gatherings. |
Sixteen years
ago Jaime with her mother, Laura and younger sister, Valerie
moved from Pittsburgh to Punta Gorda. She attended Neil
Armstrong Elementary School, Punta Gorda Middle School and
graduated from Charlotte High School in 1995.
Jaime entered UCF and later transferred
to FGCU where she completed her bachelor’s degree. By
working at Manatees and the Celtic Ray Restaurants she was
able to pay most of her own tuition, seldom needing to rely
on student loans. She especially enjoyed working at the
Celtic Ray and learned a lot about cooking during her time
there.
After Jaime graduated from FGCU, she
was offered a position as a Special Education Teacher with
Port Charlotte Middle School. Jamie considers her mother,
Laura Fields who is the Staffing Specialist for the
Exceptional Student Education Department as one of the major
influences that lead her into education. As well as running
her own restaurant, Jamie has just completed her third year
of teaching, where she was responsible for five
classes totaling over 70 students.
During the last three years, Jaime has
made some major life changes; she graduated from college,
closed on her first house (a week before Hurricane Charley)
and shortly thereafter, she seized the opportunity to become
a restaurateur.
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Jaime Tossing
Pizza Dough |
When taking over the restaurant,
the one request she heard most often from Manatees’
loyal customer base was not to change the food. Even
though she has made some subtle changes like
upgrading the cheeses and hand tossing the pizza
dough, she has honored their wishes. Why change
something that is already successful? Jamie
continues to offer daily lunch and dinner specials
along with a freshly stocked salad bar.
Jaime is also slowly making subtle
physical changes to the dining room. The walls have been
painted a soft peach color (Mediterranean) which shows off
the impressive display of artwork by local artists. The art
which is for sale is rotated monthly by the artists so
customers always have some new and different to look at
while dinning. |
Jaime has found the Punta Gorda
business community to be very supportive, especially those
located in her shopping center, Burnt Store Plaza. |
When asked if having additional restaurants close by was a
positive or negative, she responded “It depends on the
restaurant. However, I think having other restaurants nearby
would give diners a choice of menus and atmosphere to dine
in.”
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Jaime said there was more than one
person who has contributed to her success as a young
business owner. She credits a variety of people and
circumstances that have contributed to where she is today,
including family, friends, educators and previous employers.
She is grateful to have a network of people that are willing
to support and guide her through this exciting new
experience. She hasn’t worked out all the details of her
future yet, but she does see Manatees Pizza as the center of
her long-term career goals. For now, she will continue to
juggle the needs of the restaurant and her 70 middle school
students.
You are welcomed to stop by Manatees Pizza at 3941 Tamiami
Trail, Punta Gorda and enjoy a pizza or any of her other
Italian dishes. They are serving
Monday - Thursday from 11:00am to 8:30pm, Friday
and Saturday 11:00am to 9:30pm and on Sunday from 4:00pm to
8:30pm and they offer delivery service within a selected
area. You may contact them at 639-4400.
The entrepreneurial spirit of Jaime believes in the future
of Punta Gorda. And, it’s good to have such a spirit among
us. 
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unearthed
a new path for young Jaime Stratico, 27. 
