Meet Marife Arrazcaeta | Cook & Restaurant Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marife Arrazcaeta and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marife, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The tough about starting my own business is one the everyone has experience ” necessity”. We were moving to a new state, no work and small children. I think the mind set was to survive and make it. I star researching about opening a deli but I didn’t have enough money to open one from scratch. I star looking at renting a place that had the equipment that’s how we open in 2007 Nanis Deli and More. We every challenges our mind set was on to learn while we adapt. At first solve problems as we go. Then you start seeing a bigger picture. So your process change to what a bigger picture of going from deli to a full seating Restaurant with our own equipment. After few months of working we open the Nani’s Restaurant with 40 seats. After that we decided to have our line of products took another 4 months. Demand of more seats we have to expand. When you think how we started with no experience and how we took everything one day ahead of time and from there you keep expanding. The process never ends unless you give up. And we don’t quit.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are very unique because we are located in a small town in the mountains Blairsville Georgia were everything is southern and country. And our concept is being always Home cook with spanish flavor. We take dishes that are your every day and put a new Cuban or Puerto Rico flair, while introducing some of our plates and flavors. We are more excited about our food and products and friendly service. Because have make us number one Restaurant in Blairsville Georgia. And North of Georgia. Number 9 in the state of Georgia of food you must have in your live. Business wise we are always cautions we are decisions and spending to create a balance between debt and business success. Nothing has been easy you encounter challenges every day. Like employees, customers, suppliers, finances, deliveries, repairs and much more. But when you deal with this challenges you get to solve them one by one; the you get to a point you see what is coming and your are prepare to solve them more quickly and mitigate the damage and find a happy solution for everyone.. The lessons I have learn is to persistent, patience and to never give up. I want people to know that I’m a fighter. Came from Puerto Rico with nothing. Refine my English, find a job and career to raise my kids with my husband. Made to and all time high to be blow again and have nothing but my family. Came to Georgia to star from zero and now after 13 years with still here and strong. Even going thru this pandemic and reinvent ourselves and this new era of distancing. If I did you can too!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well this small town has a big heart and lots to offer. Stay and one our Cabins or Rv Parks we got several. First day visit Vogel Park enjoy hiking and after that a swim on the Vogel lake or paddle boat. Eat for dinner at our Restaurant Nani’s Restaurant. Next day full with Breakfast at The Sawmill Place and spend the whole day at Nottaly Lake. Third day go downtown for some shopping pat Hallmarks, Frome2u, have coffee at Cabin Coffee. Then go to Brasstown Bald the highest point in Georgia. Four day start with a horse trail ride at Trackrock Stables with spectacular views of Brasstown Bald. Choose any of the local own restaurants I call this town culinary alley. You can fin BBQ Jim’s Smoking Que, Italian, Cuban, Puerto Rico, Southern, American, seafood Mike’s Seafood. We will be able to satisfy all your tastes post. We also got the Appalachian trail for the hikers. Family fun at Meeks Park with trails, pool, river, dog park. It’s kayak is your thin we got a park for that as well. Our beautiful Courthouse at the center of town for a history lesson and much more when discovering Blairsville Georgia!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family! My husband Ray Arrazcaeta for be my business partner, my support my inspiration. My kids Natasha Arrazcaeta and Giusseph Arrazcaeta for helping to built the dream together, for countless long days and taking the fun about being a kid. My mother that showed me the hard work and dedication pays. All the inspirational stories that encourage me to jump to a new endeavor. Also to two woman that showed me to cook from scratch and laid the foundation for this business my Grandmother Irene Decker and my aunt Sara Rosario Be con.

Website: www.nanisdeliandmore.com
Instagram: NanisRestaurant
Twitter: NanisRestaurant
Facebook: NanisRestaurant / Nan’s Deli and More

Image Credits
Nanis Restaurant