I am the owner of Astoria Café & Bakery. Eastern European cafe specializing in Balkan cuisine and desserts. We are known for our famous Astoria Nutella cake and our Number Cakes. We’ve been featured in many local and some national publications.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
A: My parents and I immigrated tot he US 23 years ago; I am an only child. Most of my family lives back home and I don’t get to see them as often as I’d like.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
A: I’ve always loved working with people. My first job was at a bakery in Mt Clemens, MI. During my college years, I worked as a party/event promoter where I learned a lot about marketing. Upon moving to Chicago, I started working in the auto industry where I learned a lot about negotiating and customer service.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
A: I mostly dine out the West Loop, not so much out here.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
A: We opened our Lisle location on St Patrick’s Day 2021.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
A: There is a group of retired gentlemen that meet every morning at the Dunkin Donuts located next to my business. They have lots of interesting stories to tell.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
A: I’ve always wanted to visit Montevideo, Uruguay.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
A: There is a lot. From SATC to Shameless, Narcos. I am all over the place. I also love Turkish tv series’s as well as Mexican telenovelas. Same thing when it comes to movies. The Godfather, I’ve seen the new Top Gun 7x already. Lots of romantic comedies and comedies in general.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
A: Stay positive. You are what you think.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: Travel as much as possible. I close my business down every two months or so to travel somewhere new and recharge my batteries.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
A: I don’t think I have band, but I like a 90/2000s R&B and Hip Hop, but also Louis Armstrong and Frank Sinatra. Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of my favorites.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
A: I don’t think I’ve been here long enough to feel nostalgic yet.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
A: Donald Trump – somewhere expensive because he would be paying.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
A: Its charm and small hometown vibes.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
A: Married with children and a hot husband. Expanding my business out of state.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: I am subscribed to numerous business, food, fashion & home decor magazines that I don’t have time to read.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
A: Aspen, CO in the spring.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
A: October-December.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
A: My Astoria Nutella Cake.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
A: People that depend on me and my future self.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
A: There is many smells that I like, but one that I do NOT like is the smell of roses.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A: Food, flowers, comfort.
