A ’Cane Biz Summer Guide

Find things to eat, see, and do this summer while supporting businesses owned by fellow ’Canes.

By Nastasia Boulos 07-08-2021

Whatever summer you’re currently having, here are a few things you can do, eat, and see while supporting alumni-owned businesses across the country.

Get in the water with swimming classes at the Swim Gym, created by former Olympic swimmer Robert Strauss, A.B. ’74, M.E.D. ’77, and his wife Jennie Strauss, B.M. ’77, M.M. ’82. The couple, who got married at the U, are passionate about swimming education.
📍Miami, FL.
Show up for some outdoor training and fitness and explore the city with CityFitLA, founded by Rebecca Bennett, B.S.C. ’08.
📍Los Angeles, CA.

Learn about cocktails and how to make them in online classes with Cocktails Uncultured, founded by Uri Sacharow, A.B. '17.
📍Pembroke Pines, FL. Online.
Check out the Museum of Graffiti, co-founded by Allison Freidin, J.D. '10, B.S.C. '07, the first institution in the world to exclusively exhibit graffiti artists.
📍Miami, FL.
Catch some laughs in an in-person or virtual event, and even try your hand at improv with Comic Cure by Benjamin Leis, B.S.C ’04.
📍Nationwide. Online.
Grab some Rollerblades and skate your way to happiness at the Aurora Roller Skate Center, owned by Daniel Warner, A.B. '67, M.E.D. '68.
📍Aurora, IL.
Host a giant game night or murder mystery party with Triangle Game Night and Events by Erin Dean, B.S.C. '06.
📍Holly Springs, NC

Get fancy with tea and fine china at Tea Time, a relaxing and tranquil tea parlor created by Monica Cohen, A.B. '04. They offer both regular tea parlor sittings along and private party options.
📍Sunrise, FL.
Grab some coffee and truffles or stop by for chocolate-making classes at the Chocolate Spectrum, a shop and café created by Valerie Herskowitz, A.B. '77, M.A. '78, that trains and employs adults with development disabilities.
📍Jupiter, FL.
Take a trip somewhere new to check out one of the many ’Cane-owned restaurants and bars across the country like: Crazy Cuban, a Cuban comfort food restaurant in Atlanta, GA; Union Jack Pub, a soccer-centric pub in Indianapolis, IN; Bar Nancy, a nautically themed craft cocktail bar in Miami, FL.; Lotus Garden, a Thai restaurant in the heart of Coral Gables, FL.; and Piggy's Restaurant, a breakfast-focused restaurant in Lake Harmony, PA.
Not ready to venture out? Try a customized in-home gourmet dining experience with Plates by Lisa, created by Lisa Weintraub, B.B.A. ’13.
📍Hollywood, CA

Bring a picnic and taste some wines in an 1897 farmhouse at Hanover Park Vineyard, one of the first 15 wineries in North Carolina, founded by Amy P. Helton, B.F.A. '77.
📍Yadkinville, NC.
Pair wine and music at Notaviva Vineyards, a cattle ranch turned winery by Stephen Mackey, B.M. '92.
📍Purcellville, VA.
Stop by for tastings or wine dinners at Paradise Springs Winery and Vineyard, the closest winery to Washington, D.C., founded by Kirk Wiles, B.B.A. '04.
📍Clifton, VA