Cassandre Dabilmer, owner of Lakou Cafe in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.
Photo by Jeremy Morris
With Black History Month and New York City Small Business Month in full swing, Cassandre Davilmar, the Haitian-American owner of Lakou Café in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, has been focused on building his business since graduating from DoorDash’s accelerator program for local restaurants and receiving a $10,000 grant to support his restaurant.
Last fall, thanks to resources gained through the program, Davilmar was able to close a loan agreement to purchase the building that houses Lakou Café, make operational improvements by applying best practices for small business success, and obtain a liquor license to expand customer options.
Throughout the month of June, the Mayor and City agencies are gathering resources and information to help small businesses thrive, recognizing their contributions to the City’s economy and the diversity they bring to the restaurant industry.
Not only has Dabilmar shown them how to survive in New York City’s tough restaurant industry, but they’ve also taken advantage of resources like accelerator programs to thrive as valued members of the community.
A graduate of New York University (NYU) Law School and with a degree in Finance and Accounting from the University of Miami, Dabilmar brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his entrepreneurial endeavors.
But she Caribbean Life Her passion to make an impact in her community is what drives her and is the driving force behind Lakou Café.
Through his vision for expanding Lacou Café, Dabilmar said he aims to “create a welcoming space that celebrates Haitian cuisine and culture while fostering a sense of community among neighbors in the Weeksville neighborhood of Crown Heights.”
She said she sees her journey as “a potentially inspiring avenue for others to bring their ideas to life” and is optimistic about the future of LaCou Café.
She said the support she received from DoorDash’s Small Business Accelerator program strengthened her belief that “with the right support and determination, you can succeed in New York City’s tough restaurant industry.”
Davilmar said he’s focused on not only sustaining his business but also expanding its impact, and sees his restaurant as “a community gathering place and a vibrant part of the diversity of Crown Heights.”
She says graduating from the accelerator program was a turning point for her: She used the program’s $10,000 grant and resources for small business owners to apply best practices for success in the restaurant industry and improve her operations.
Last October, she said, the grant helped her secure enough funding to close a deal to purchase the building that houses LaCou Café.
Dabilmar said owning the building gives them long-term stability, allowing them to focus on expanding their business and making tangible improvements.
She said the training and one-on-one business advice she received also “played a key role” in helping her obtain a liquor licence.
“Rakow’s can now expand its offerings, attract a wider customer base and improve the overall dining experience,” she said, adding that the operational improvements she implemented because of the program have “streamlined processes, increased efficiency and improved the quality of service.”
Dabilmar said he is proud of the improvements and sees them as “an important step to ensure the sustainability and growth of our restaurants.”
She was part of DoorDash’s Accelerator for Local Restaurants Program 2023 cohort.
“The program is dedicated to promoting equality in entrepreneurship and expanding opportunities for small businesses, with a focus on supporting women, immigrants and people of color,” Dabilmar said.
He said the program offers a variety of benefits, including a $10,000 grant, comprehensive training and education, personalized business advice, marketing benefits and eco-friendly packaging from program partner DeliverZero.
Lakou Café is located at 195 Utica Ave., Brooklyn, NY, 11213. Davilmar can be contacted at (347) 295-0566 or info@lakoucafe.com.
