 Everyone has a past—some are good, and some are not as good. But whatever you’ve gone through, translating your background and experience to shape and position your business can be transformative. Eric Maliszewski was able to translate his skills and experience into ownership of the Canal Side Café & Bistro in the heart of the beautiful village of Baldwinsville. While Eric’s story may not be completely unique, it is a story about progression, perseverance, patience and opportunity. Entering the workforce can be challenging in any field but especially in one as competitive as the culinary world. Eric dove in at a very young age without any formal training. When he was just 14 years old, he began working with his father in the family restaurant in the heart of downtown Syracuse. At that time, his father owned the Trolley Stop Diner which was adjacent to Syracuse City Hall. Eric worked diligently learning the business beside his dad at the diner and with him in their food carts that provided food and beverage for many of the festivals that took place in downtown Syracuse.  Over time, Eric honed his practical skills in the food industry as a banquet chef for 13 years at the Oncenter in downtown Syracuse and four years as the head chef at 916 Riverside (formerly known as Castaways) on the shores of Oneida Lake. And while Eric has a great deal of experience in the food industry, he has other talents. Eric has played bass guitar and been a part of the music and entertainment industry since 2003, which allowed him to travel throughout the country. When opportunity knocked earlier this year, Eric was ready, willing and able to make his mark for him and his family. Eric purchased and transformed the Canal Walk Café into the Canal Side Café & Bistro. He has seventeen employees that work for him in various capacities at the café. Eric noted that this couldn’t have been accomplished without the help of both his family and the Onondaga Small Business Development Center (SBDC). “I needed help understanding my options as a business entity, business plan development, financial projections and securing working capital for renovations and new equipment. Onondaga SBDC advisor Mark Pitonzo provided me with important insights and guidance overcoming hurdles, avoiding “speed bumps” and helped show me the way towards pursuing my dream and securing my own business.”
Eric goes on to say, “I’m just a local guy that wants to cook great food, provide great friendly service, and share it with the community”. Eric lives that mantra as he regularly donates food to Meals on Wheels of Baldwinsville.  During a recent visit to his café, laughter and pleasant conversation could be heard throughout the café. I spoke to several retired school teachers who were dining there one morning. They told me that the café is “a staple in the community providing a friendly, wonderful atmosphere with great food that is reasonably priced”. They noted that the chefs at the café are very accommodating with personalized service. According to the sign on his door, his café is open “Every Day, All Year Round” . . . and his customers couldn’t be more pleased.   Article published in the BJNN on October 28, 2019 Mark Pitonzo is a business advisor at the Small Business Development Center’s Liverpool satellite office located at Onondaga Community College @ Liverpool. Contact him at [email protected]
6 Comments
Rich Corless
10/2/2019 10:11:37
Great story, and so happy for Eric's success!
Barbara Hopper Preiss
10/3/2019 20:27:35
Ford is smiling down from Heaven! I am soo very proud!! 6/19/2024 08:18:05
Wow, the story of Eric Maliszewski and the Canal Side Café & Bistro is really inspiring! It’s cool to see how Eric used his past experiences from working in his dad’s diner and as a chef to open his own café. It shows that if you work hard and keep learning, you can achieve your dreams just like Eric did. I also liked learning how the Onondaga Small Business Development Center helped him out. It’s nice to know there are people and places that can help when you want to start a business. This story makes me think that maybe one day I could start something of my own if I work hard and stay focused. Thanks for sharing Eric’s journey! 6/21/2024 09:12:04
It's cool to see how Eric's journey unfolded and how he is now a key part of his community, not just by serving food but also by giving back, like donating to Meals on Wheels. This article helped me understand how much effort and dedication it takes to run a successful cafe and be a positive force in the community. 9/8/2024 10:22:29
This article about Eric Maliszewski and Canal Side Café & Bistro really touched me. It’s inspiring to see how Eric turned his past experiences and hard work into something so positive for his community. The way he went from working with his dad at a diner to owning his own café shows how determination and support from others, like the Onondaga SBDC, can make dreams come true. It’s amazing to think that his café is not only a place for great food but also a hub of joy and friendliness. This story helps me understand how important it is to keep pushing towards your goals and to appreciate the help we get along the way. The article made me feel hopeful and motivated to follow my own dreams with the same passion. 9/8/2024 11:05:28
I really enjoyed reading about Eric Maliszewski and the Canal Side Café & Bistro! His journey from working with his father to owning his own restaurant is so inspiring and shows how hard work and passion can lead to amazing things. I loved how the article highlighted not only his culinary skills but also his dedication to his community and his use of the Onondaga Small Business Development Center for support. It’s clear that Eric’s café is more than just a place to eat—it’s a heartwarming part of the Baldwinsville community. This story helped me understand how perseverance and community support can turn dreams into reality. Great job capturing Eric’s inspiring story! Leave a Reply. |
Empowering Entrepreneurship, Inspiring Success in Central New York.
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Onondaga Small Business Development Center. Partnership Program with the SBA, administered by the State University of New York. Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. All SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.
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