Today we’d like to introduce you to Levi Rollins
Hi Levi, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My passion for food started when I was a young boy. I cooked with my mother and would watch my grandmothers cook in their restaurants. My mother taught me all the basics and how to be creative in the kitchen, she always knew the perfect pairings with spices and flavors. She often said, “sometimes the simplest things, taste the best.”
When I grew up, I took a job in sales & marketing with a large health & beauty company. Over my 20-year career there, I had the great opportunity to travel the world, visiting over 60 countries. One of my favorite parts of these adventures was experiencing the food and local cultures.
Later, I ended my career in the international sales world to open a venue in Houston called Urban Eats. Urban Eats was inspired by family tradition and my time abroad. Themed “Bistro + Bar + Market”, Urban Eats strived to meet the needs of an ever-changing food scene during a global pandemic. Although we found a place in the community, the overwhelming costs and burden from COVID, was too much for our business to handle. Urban Eats closed on February 1st, 2024, after nearly 10 years in business.
Almost simultaneously, an opportunity came up to partner on re-envisioning a local bakery, World Bakery & Catering on Silber. Rd. in Spring Branch. With the help of a business partner, Armando Velasquez, the bakery was purchased, and I was tasked with re-branding the space as Salt & Sugar. I had created Salt & Sugar in 2016 as an upscale deli and patisserie. With a few tweaks and combination of the best items from the former Urban Eats and World Bakery & Catering menus, a new Salt & Sugar was born. Salt & Sugar Silber opened on February 19th, 2024.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have been plenty of “bumps in the road”. From the general struggles of operating a single location, privately owned business in a very competitive and saturated food industry, to a global pandemic and blood cancer diagnosis; I can’t imagine it being more difficult than it has been. The main motivation to continue forward has been the people in my life, friends, family and customers have been there along the way, but no-one more than my partner Eric Munoz. I love making delicious, approachable food and seeing people enjoy it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Salt & Sugar?
Salt & Sugar, a Houston Noshery, epicurean delicatessen and gourmand patisserie. We specialize in house-made breads, desserts and baked items, used in a large array of savory & sweet bites, sure to please. Awesome sandwiches & salads, full entrees and amazing desserts. In addition, we have a full bakery program, offering cakes, pies and special-order sweets. Our catering is top notch, offering boxed lunches and traditional bulk catering for events of any size.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I feel taking risks is part of any business and offers opportunity for growth. Over my time in the restaurant industry, I have taken many risks, some pay off and others don’t. During COVID, I borrowed money to keep the business operating. That was a huge risk because we didn’t know how or when the industry would recover. Ultimately those loans kept out staff employed but didn’t save the business.
From day one, I risked my life savings in opening my first restaurant, Urban Eats.
Now, with Salt & Sugar, the risk lies with a new business partnership and in the development of a brand which I partially control under that partnership.
Pricing:
- Our average lunch will run you $20
- Our average dinner will run you $30
- Desserts are $3-$5 on average
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eatsaltandsugar.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatsaltandsugar/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saltandsugarhou
Image Credits
Salt & Sugar
Laura Tracy
