A Mexican comes to America and opens a Chinese and Thai restaurant No, it's not the start of joke, it's the story of Jose Cruz's life. And yes, there's even a priest involved.

Born in Michoacán, Mexico, CruZ had plans to enter the priesthood. He enrolled in seminary school, which brought him to America. After seminary, he was given a year to decide whether that was the life for him and realized it wasn't when he fell in love with his now wife, Rocio. They now have five children.

But Cruz credits his time at Clergy University for where he is today. ""The seminary taught me two things that I've carried with me my whole life: One discipline. Two: to live every moment like it's my last," he says. "It really helped me succeed and give everything I have to my work and my family. In the seminary, I learned hard work pays off."

Which helps explain Cruz's success. Fourteen years ago, he got his start in the restaurant business as a dishwasher. He worked his way up and became a cook, then a manager and last month, opened his own restaurant — Park City Chinese and Thai.

"I really do feel like I've lived the American dream. I started from scratch," Cruz added.

It's a safe assumption that there were no family recipes that inspired Cruz to open an Asian restaurant. So how did he settle on the cuisine choice?

"Six years ago, I started a restaurant delivery service. I knew a lot of people in the business and wanted to help them get their food into people's homes. Over the last six years, one of the biggest requests I had from customers was Chinese and Thai food, and there weren't a lot of affordable options, especially late at night. There was a need, so Rocio and I decided to open Park City Chinese and Thai to fill that void," he explained.

And while business is booming at his new restaurant, Cruz understands the initial skepticism. "When I went to the city to apply for a business license, they asked if the name of my business was correct," he chuckled at the memory. "They figured I would be cooking burritos and tacos."

But Cruz wasn't swayed by stereotype and stayed committed to Asian fare. He and his wife read a lot of books, took classes and even asked a friend who had worked in Chinese restaurants to taste-test their recipes. After they mastered the Chinese food, they hired a group from Thailand to teach them some of their dishes, especially the curries. And, Cruz says, you can taste the love they put into each dish.

"We prepare everything fresh. We don't even cut the peppers until a meal is ordered. We believe in healthy, delicious food at a good price."

And in case you're wondering, the menus are written in English.

Park City Chinese and Thai

Open seven days a week, 10:30 a.m. 11:30 p.m.

The post No burritos, just Chinese and Thai appeared first on Park Record.

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A Mexican comes to America and opens a Chinese and Thai restaurant No, it’s not the start of joke, it’s the story of Jose Cruz’s life. And yes, there’s even a priest involved.

Born in Michoacán, Mexico, CruZ had plans to enter the priesthood. He enrolled in seminary school, which brought him to America. After seminary, he was given a year to decide whether that was the life for him and realized it wasn’t when he fell in love with his now wife, Rocio. They now have five children.

But Cruz credits his time at Clergy University for where he is today. ""The seminary taught me two things that I’ve carried with me my whole life: One discipline. Two: to live every moment like it’s my last," he says. "It really helped me succeed and give everything I have to my work and my family. In the seminary, I learned hard work pays off."

Which helps explain Cruz’s success. Fourteen years ago, he got his start in the restaurant business as a dishwasher. He worked his way up and became a cook, then a manager and last month, opened his own restaurant — Park City Chinese and Thai.

"I really do feel like I’ve lived the American dream. I started from scratch," Cruz added.

It’s a safe assumption that there were no family recipes that inspired Cruz to open an Asian restaurant. So how did he settle on the cuisine choice?

"Six years ago, I started a restaurant delivery service. I knew a lot of people in the business and wanted to help them get their food into people’s homes. Over the last six years, one of the biggest requests I had from customers was Chinese and Thai food, and there weren’t a lot of affordable options, especially late at night. There was a need, so Rocio and I decided to open Park City Chinese and Thai to fill that void," he explained.

And while business is booming at his new restaurant, Cruz understands the initial skepticism. "When I went to the city to apply for a business license, they asked if the name of my business was correct," he chuckled at the memory. "They figured I would be cooking burritos and tacos."

But Cruz wasn’t swayed by stereotype and stayed committed to Asian fare. He and his wife read a lot of books, took classes and even asked a friend who had worked in Chinese restaurants to taste-test their recipes. After they mastered the Chinese food, they hired a group from Thailand to teach them some of their dishes, especially the curries. And, Cruz says, you can taste the love they put into each dish.

"We prepare everything fresh. We don’t even cut the peppers until a meal is ordered. We believe in healthy, delicious food at a good price."

And in case you’re wondering, the menus are written in English.

Park City Chinese and Thai

Open seven days a week, 10:30 a.m. 11:30 p.m.

The post No burritos, just Chinese and Thai appeared first on Park Record.

]]> 31991 https://www.swiftcharge.net/2013/03/05/no-burritos-just-chinese-and-thai/ Wed, 06 Mar 2013 06:21:49 +0000 http://dev.swiftcharge.net/news/no-burritos-just-chinese-and-thai/

A Mexican comes to America and opens a Chinese and Thai restaurant. No, it's not the start of a joke. It's the story of Jose Cruz's life. And yes, there's even a priest involved.

Born in Michoacán, Mexico, Cruz had plans to enter the priesthood. He enrolled in seminary school, which brought him to America. After seminary, he was given a year to decide whether that was the life for him and realized it wasn't when he fell in love with his now wife, Rocio. They now have five children.

But Cruz credits his time at Clergy University for where he is today. "The seminary taught me two things that I've carried with me my whole life: One – discipline. Two: to live every moment like it's my last," he says. "It really helped me succeed and give everything I have to my work and my family. In the seminary, I learned hard work pays off."

Which helps explain Cruz's success. Fourteen years ago, he got his start in the restaurant business as a dishwasher. He worked his way up and became a cook, then a manager and last month, opened his own restaurant — Park City Chinese and Thai.

"I really do feel like I've lived the American dream. I started from scratch," Cruz added.

It's a safe assumption that there were no family recipes that inspired Cruz to open an Asian restaurant. So how did he settle on the cuisine choice?

"Six years ago, I started a restaurant delivery service. I knew a lot of people in the business and wanted to help them get their food into people's homes. Over the last six years, one of the biggest requests I had from customers was Chinese and Thai food, and there weren't a lot of affordable options, especially late at night. There was a need, so Rocio and I decided to open Park City Chinese and Thai to fill that void," he explained.

And while business is booming at his new restaurant, Cruz understands the initial skepticism. "When I went to the city to apply for a business license, they asked if the name of my business was correct," he chuckled at the memory. "They figured I would be cooking burritos and tacos."

But Cruz wasn't swayed by stereotype and stayed committed to Asian fare. He and his wife read a lot of books, took classes and even asked a friend who had worked in Chinese restaurants to taste-test their recipes. After they mastered the Chinese food, they hired a group from Thailand to teach them some of their dishes, especially the curries. And, Cruz says, you can taste the love they put into each dish.

"We prepare everything fresh. We don't even cut the peppers until a meal is ordered. We believe in healthy, delicious food at a good price."

And in case you're wondering, the menus are written in English.

Park City Chinese and Thai

 

The post No burritos, just Chinese and Thai appeared first on Park Record.

Main Street has always had a bit of a chameleon soul. Shops, restaurants, galleries and other businesses often come and go with the changing seasons. But there is one boutique that has expertly weathered the ups and downs of resort living — Mary Jane's. Known for its trendy and unique clothing, accessories and shoes, the store is celebrating its 10th year in business this month. A feat the owner credits to careful purchasing.

"Buying is a huge part of retail and smart buying is essential," says Lori Harris, owner of Mary Jane's boutique. "Shoppers are fickle and fashions change, you have to be willing to adapt and change with trends and with the economy."

Harris, who almost opened a wine bar a decade ago instead of Mary Jane's, also credits the store's success with the variety of designers she carries.

"I think people are drawn to the variety of name brands we carry at prices they don't typically find elsewhere. Our new customers are often surprised we have such reasonable prices, and that turns them into repeat customers. Our focus is strictly on women's fashions right now. It's our strength and really what we're known for," Harris explained.

And while any woman with a footwear fetish knows what Mary Jane's are, how the store got its name isn't as obvious as you might think. In fact, Harris was considering several names before opening her boutique. But a visit to City Park with her pug, Clyde, secured the moniker for this Main Street staple.

"I couldn't settle on a name and took my dog to the park to think it over. A darling little girl came running my way to pet my dog and her dad was calling after her 'Mary Jane! Mary Jane! Come back here!' That was all the confirmation I needed. I wanted my store to be as memorable and beloved as that cute little girl," Harris said.

In the decade since that fateful day in the park, Mary Jane's has become a mainstay for shoppers in search of stylish footwear, clothes and accessories with a mountain-town flare. And Harris still prides herself on the originality and personality of her merchandise, especially the shoes.

"We are continuously focused on giving women the shoes they want. Shoes are where we started and they're still my fetish," Harris added, her enthusiasm for fashion evident.

"Having a passion for fashion is my real secret to success. It's what has kept me and Mary Jane's thriving on Park City's Main Street for so long."

To celebrate their 10th anniversary, Mary Jane's is offering 10 percent off all purchases during the month of March.

Mary Jane's

www.maryjanesshoes.com.

The post Mary Jane’s celebrates 10th anniversary appeared first on Park Record.

]]>

Main Street has always had a bit of a chameleon soul. Shops, restaurants, galleries and other businesses often come and go with the changing seasons. But there is one boutique that has expertly weathered the ups and downs of resort living — Mary Jane’s. Known for its trendy and unique clothing, accessories and shoes, the store is celebrating its 10th year in business this month. A feat the owner credits to careful purchasing.

"Buying is a huge part of retail and smart buying is essential," says Lori Harris, owner of Mary Jane’s boutique. "Shoppers are fickle and fashions change, you have to be willing to adapt and change with trends and with the economy."

Harris, who almost opened a wine bar a decade ago instead of Mary Jane’s, also credits the store’s success with the variety of designers she carries.

"I think people are drawn to the variety of name brands we carry at prices they don’t typically find elsewhere. Our new customers are often surprised we have such reasonable prices, and that turns them into repeat customers. Our focus is strictly on women’s fashions right now. It’s our strength and really what we’re known for," Harris explained.

And while any woman with a footwear fetish knows what Mary Jane’s are, how the store got its name isn’t as obvious as you might think. In fact, Harris was considering several names before opening her boutique. But a visit to City Park with her pug, Clyde, secured the moniker for this Main Street staple.

"I couldn’t settle on a name and took my dog to the park to think it over. A darling little girl came running my way to pet my dog and her dad was calling after her ‘Mary Jane! Mary Jane! Come back here!’ That was all the confirmation I needed. I wanted my store to be as memorable and beloved as that cute little girl," Harris said.

In the decade since that fateful day in the park, Mary Jane’s has become a mainstay for shoppers in search of stylish footwear, clothes and accessories with a mountain-town flare. And Harris still prides herself on the originality and personality of her merchandise, especially the shoes.

"We are continuously focused on giving women the shoes they want. Shoes are where we started and they’re still my fetish," Harris added, her enthusiasm for fashion evident.

"Having a passion for fashion is my real secret to success. It’s what has kept me and Mary Jane’s thriving on Park City’s Main Street for so long."

To celebrate their 10th anniversary, Mary Jane’s is offering 10 percent off all purchases during the month of March.

Mary Jane’s