Food & Beverage
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market and learning about their processing times for shipping. What lessons have you learned that you wish you knew before opening? For us, it continues to be a constant learning experience. We have learned that markets contain their own inherent demographic of consumers. As a company, you have to adjust to their needs. What goals do you have for the next six months? So far, we have been able to sell coffee in two IGA Food Markets — in Arizona City and Eloy. We would love to expand into other markets in Pinal County and beyond as well as expanding our blend offerings. What makes you proud to say you’re the owner of Bubba Brewing Company? Bubba Brewing Company is a tribute to our son. There is no greater joy than being a parent and keeping his dream alive. What is the most popular item? Is it what you expected? Our most popular blend of coffee is a tossup between Bubba Blend, a dark bold French Roast, the way his late son liked to drink his coffee, and Immortality, a medium dark roast consisting of Indonesian and Guatemalan beans with hints of chocolate, caramel and coconut.
flexible and patient, knowing that each piece takes time to establish and grow. Building strong relationships with the community and my team has also been crucial for long-term success. What goals do you have for the next six months? We’ve recently opened our retail wine shop, and we plan to launch online ordering with delivery soon. We’re also focused on establishing Mandy’s Wine Club, hosting more events and continuing to refine service and operations for an even better guest experience. What makes you proud to say you’re the owner of Mandy’s Wine Bar? Seeing the joy on people’s faces when they walk in, celebrate special moments or discover a new favorite wine is incredibly rewarding. I’m especially proud of our team — they’ve overcome the challenges of opening a new business and show up every day with heart and dedication. It means so much to have built a space that truly brings people together. What do Maricopans like most at Mandy’s? Is it what you expected? Some of our most popular dishes are my family’s traditional lasagna, the chicken pesto panini, chicken Milanese with a light and creamy white wine sauce over
Paul Smith
pappardelle noodles and a homemade pesto drizzle, plus our scratch-made pizzas and focaccia bread. These are guest favorites, and while I knew they’d be loved, the enthusiasm and loyalty to these dishes have been incredibly rewarding.
BUBBA BREWING CO. BubbaBrewingCompany.com PAUL SMITH THE LAKES AT RANCHO EL DORADO OPENED DEC. 6, 2024
mesothelioma, and share great-tasting coffee.
What inspired you to open your business? Our son Paul, “Bubba,” inspired us to start Bubba Brewing Company. It was his dream to buy a coffee truck and sell coffee. Our company lets us keep his legacy alive, raise awareness about
What challenges did you face to get your restaurant running smoothly? Creating relationships with the necessary vendors to get our products to
InMaricopa.com | September 2025
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