Leon Hart/Business Owner/The American Triumph Journal

Leon Hart is the owner of Leone, a breakfast, pizzeria sports bar located at 318 N. 2nd
Street, Richmond, Va. He has been in business since September 1, 2008. After little
over a year in business Leone has already gained a following of loyal customers. Some
are attracted by the signs on the door and the great location for the bar which is in
downtown Richmond neighboring many businesses such as barber shops, convenient
stores, beauty salons and other restaurants. Others are attracted by the specials
offered such as the $2 dollar value menu which includes wings, pizza, tacos and Chicago
style hot dogs. Hart is proud to be a locally owned business supported by his community
and takes pride from neighboring businesses telling him he has already survived longer
than previous owners of the building he now occupies. Americantriumphjournal.com
spoke with Leon Hart October 9, 2009.

Hart described his typical day at Leone.

"Typical day starts around 7:30 (a.m.)," he said. "Cooks come in and they prep and do
breakfast. At that time we have a couple of breakfast specials which is $3.95 all day,
breakfast specials. Then normally we throw a couple more specials on the menu to
attract different clientel that roam 2nd street and Marshall. We get some great
customers coming in and out and some of them have just made it their home. So it's like
a black Cheers.”

According to Hart, the idea to become a restaurant owner was planted very early on by
his grandmother.

"She (his grandmother) worked in the restaurant industry," he said. "She worked in the
pizza industry. She had a recipe for pizza. So while I was going to school (referring to
college) my plan was to definitely make pizza and open up a pizza shop."

Hart was born and raised in Chicago, Ill.   He graduated from William R. Harper High
School located at 6520 South Wood Street, Chicago, Ill. After his high school
graduation he went on to earn three college degrees. He holds an associate's degree in
liberal arts from J. Sargent Reynolds Community college, a bachelor's degree in history
from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and a master's degree in education
leadership from Virginia State University.

When one asks Hart if he was raised in a two parent household he would reply that he
grew up with a family.

“I grew up with a family," he said. "We grew up in a family building. That consisted of a
grandmother, mother, father, cousin and aunts. It was a family owned building."

He said, his mother worked as the director of a hospital emergency room in Chicago. He
said, his father worked for the department of transportation for the city of Chicago.
During childhood, Hart said, he learned the value of work.

"A lot of things, I picked up from my grandmother and that was hard work, dedication, get
to where you want in life just by doing," he said.

Even before opening up Leone, Hart has been working for himself. He has been
working for himself since attending VCU. He described some of his first experiences with
self employment and what ultimately led him to open up his restaurant.

“While I was at VCU sitting on the campus, I saw a guy power washing the ground," he
said. "I thought what the heck why don't I just put that on the back of my new pick up
truck. So I put the unit on the back of my pick up truck in the early 90's and started
washing cars. And then from there I saw a lunch truck. And I bought a lunch truck and I
road around Richmond, selling food. Until, I had the opportunity to sell enough food to
open up Leone.”

The initial start up costs for Leone was $20,000. Hart had his own money and did not
need a business loan. He said, the business took 3 months to pay for itself.   A good
part of Leone's business is fueled by the support from his neighboring business
community. He mentioned how they all "pretty much patronize each other." He said, he
patronizes any new business that comes in the area.

"I like the food and I like the people," said Carlo Allen, 38, customer of Leone and
employee of a barber shop a few doors down from the restaurant. "I recommend them
to all my customers."

According to Hart, Leone is a 1700 square ft. facility and can seat 65 people. He has
seven employees. He described a good relationship with his employees.

"He's (Hart) laid back, but serious about his business," said Brandy, 27, bartender for
Leone. "He has our backs if we need him."

Brandy said, she has fun working at Leone. She said, they have a very diverse crowd.

"People from all walks of life come here," she said. "It's a neighborhood like bar. We
have many regular customers who know each other and we know their names when they
walk in."

Today, Hart is married and owns a home in Chesterfield County. He is a hard working,
driven man pursuing his dream of running a business and amassing great wealth. He is
the owner and manager of Leone. He also works as a history teacher for Matoaca High
School. He said, he usually puts in a 52 hour work week.

October 9, 2009

For more information on Leone and Leon Hart click on the following link:

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Leon Hart

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