Crains New York - December 10, 2012 - (Page 25)

HELLUVA TOWN INSIDE More grills on the fire Windy City import Roti Mediterranean Grill is planning to blow into New York early next year. But the chain has faced some pretty strong headwinds. Its first store, located at 100 Maiden Lane, is behind schedule thanks to Superstorm Sandy, which knocked power out of the building. “The storm was certainly a bit of a setback, but we will start construction soon using generators,” said co-owner Mats Lederhausen, a veteran fast-food executive who has held top positions at McDonald’s, Boston Market and Chipotle Mexican Grill. Roti, known for its hummus, Source Lunch A store for the modern quilter PAGE 26 Out and About Andy Warhol drawings PAGE 27 couscous and pita bread, boasts six eateries in Chicago and nine in the Washington, D.C., area. The five-year-old chain has big plans for New York. It is already negotiating another three leases as part of a 10-store expansion here. “Of course, I learned a lot from my Chipotle experience,” said Mr. Lederhausen, who was chairman of the popular Mexican-restaurant chain. “But Roti is not an attempt to mimic that. There are differences between the concepts.” —lisa fickenscher Magazine goes vegan Artist and graphic designer Julie Gueraseva, who has done design work for a string of magazines including Harper’s Bazaar and Redbook, is launching a title of her own this week called Laika Magazine. Among the features in the debut issue are a photo essay on animals and a spread on the hottest vegan fashions. Hot vegan fashions? Who knew? Ms. Gueraseva, who dropped animal products from her diet and wardrobe six years ago, aims to reach readers who “wouldn’t ordinarily pick up a vegan publication” but want something “cool, stylish, refreshing and intelligent,” she said. “The goal is to spread compassion—in a kind way.” She also wanted the first issue to be coffee-table-worthy, which is why, she said, it has only two pages of ads—both from vegan food companies. Named after the dog shot into space on Sputnik 2 in 1957, Laika has a cover price of $10 and will be published quarterly. Ms. Gueraseva, who financed the launch herself, is considering going to Kickstarter for an additional investment. “Something like this lends itself well to crowdfunding,” she said. —matthew flamm TEAMWORK: Siblings Patrick and Brooke Denihan co-lead their eponymous hospitality firm. Oh, brother! FAMILY AFFAIR I BY ELIZABETH MACBRIDE n late 2005, six Denihan family members were in a meeting in the headquarters of their family’s century-old Manhattan hospitality company. ¶ Tensions were rising. ¶ They had worked together for decades, guiding the company after the death of their father in 1986. But the real estate market was booming, and four of the six wanted out. Selling the company’s eight Manhattan hotel properties would yield millions. ¶ Patrick and Brooke Denihan looked at each other across the table. Each knew what the other was thinking: 2005 wasn’t the perfect time to sell; it was the perfect time to buy. ¶ Via telephone that night, they confirmed the partnership. The brother and sister would sell some hotels, buy out their family members with the proceeds and become co-CEOs of a reformed company. ¶ Seven years later, the six hotels they bought have become 15: Denihan Hospitality Group owns and operates eight properties and manages seven more. It also owns or manages nine restaurants, including noteworthy Manhattan eateries David Burke Kitchen and Jimmy. The company was forced to downsize in the recession of the See FAMILY on Page 26 NUMBER OF HOTELS Patrick and Brooke Denihan bought from their family in 2005 6 NUMBER OF HOTELS the Denihans now own or manage 15 December 10, 2012 | Crain’s New York Business | 25 buck ennis Sibling rivalry in the executive suite? Not for the Denihans, who are the exception to the rule

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Crains New York - December 10, 2012

THE INSIDER
IN THE BOROUGHS
IN THE MARKETS
SMALL BUSINESS
BUSINESS PEOPLE
OPINION
GREG DAVID
REAL ESTATE DEALS
REPORT: PHILANTHROPY
THE LIST
CLASSIFIEDS
FOR THE RECORD
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
SOURCE LUNCH
OUT AND ABOUT
SNAPS

Crains New York - December 10, 2012