Catching Up with Clients: D Roti Hut

Good food will get a restaurant started, but good people will keep it open.

That’s just one of the lessons Michael’s learned in the six years since opening D Roti Hut, a Trinidadian restaurant in Jamaica, Queens. After navigating the pandemic closures, with the help of Build Up Justice NYC (BUJNYC), Michael’s restaurant has not just grown – it has become a true neighborhood staple.

D Roti Hut was the realization of a dream for Michael, who spent decades working in the restaurant industry. He opened his spot in February of 2020 but was forced to close his doors shortly afterwards due to COVID-19. Facing mounting costs and difficulties with his landlord, Michael connected with BUJNYC for help. Our team was able to assist him in securing a grant to cover his rental debt, and negotiated new terms for his commercial lease – support that was critical during an uncertain time. Now, six years later, D Roti Hut is thriving.

“To help me grow, we just hone in on getting really good at that one thing,” Michael said. “I wouldn’t say I’m the best because everybody cooks a bit differently, but I’m right up there with everybody.”

Equally important to Michael is customer service. As rising costs continue to challenge business owners everywhere, Michael is committed to keeping his prices steady and to continue building lasting relationships with his customers.

“The customer’s not always ‘right,’ but it’s about how you make people feel,” Michael said. “I want to kill you with customer service, kill you with great food, and I’m going to keep my prices lower than everybody else.”

As D Roti Hut has grown, so has its roots in the community. Expanding catering has taken Michael to weddings, neighborhood Christmas parties, and even a 50th birthday celebration on a yacht. Michael has also donated food for events hosted by houses of worship, toy drives, schools, women’s empowerment nonprofits, the NYPD, and more, strengthening local ties showcasing his care for his customers.

These connections have underscored the importance of a stable commercial lease, Michael said. With the community being so integral to his business, he “can’t just move” elsewhere in the city.

Michael’s experience working with BUJNYC helped him better understand the importance of a strong commercial lease and the stability it brings and it inspired his next entrepreneurial step: owning commercial property himself.

When Michael heard that a mixed-use building down the street from D Roti Hut was for sale, he checked it out for a potential expansion. Though the space wasn’t larger than his current location, it had room for something he’d always wanted – a bakery. Michael applied for a loan “for kicks and giggles,” he said, and was surprised when it was approved. The deal came together and he now plans to open the bakery this spring.

Owning two businesses, Michael said, will help him and his wife build a stable, comfortable future. While the grind of the service industry can take its toll, what keeps him going is seeing his team continue to grow and succeed together.

“With your team,” Michael said, “it’s rewarding when they win.”