SOUTH PADRE ISLAND — Arnie Creinin stood in front of more than 200 people as he accepted the Governor’s Small Business Award.
He was recognized for Gabriella’s Italian Grill and Pizzeria, a small business he has owned for the past four years.
“The restaurant is a very family cozy environment,” Creinin said. “And Gabriella’s is like a big city restaurant.”
The award was presented to Creinin at the Governor’s Small Business Forum held in Brownsville last week in partnership with the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce.
“For a small business owner it’s (the award) great, and it inspires the employees,” Creinin said.
The restaurant has been in business for 11 years. It has changed locations and has added more to the menu and even deliveries.
“What it is today is not what it was when I purchased it four years ago,” Creinin. “We strive every day.”
He said Gabriella’s features house craft beers that are well known, and hundreds of bottles of wine.
“Some of the wine bottles cost as high as $350 and over a bottle,” Creinin said. “Not everybody will drink a bottle like that but we are prepared to take care of a customer that comes in and wants to drink the best wine they can buy.”
He said there are very affordable wines, and he receives good comments about the wine selection.
“The pizza is another key point that people enjoy,” he said. “It’s one of the few wood burning pizza ovens in South Texas.”
He said the oven is originally from Italy.
“We go through tons and tons of wood every month,” Creinin said.
According to the Governor’s website, small businesses drive the Texas economy with more than 2.2 million small businesses and more than 725,000 women and minority-owned small businesses.
The Small Business Forums, where Creinin accepted his award, are designed to give entrepreneurs and small businesses valuable tools, skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today’s fast-paced economy.
The event featured a wide range of instructive seminars and expert speakers offering vital information on both public and private resources.
“I’m humbled and it’s a great honor to have received this award,” Creinin said. “I was very happy not just for myself but all the staff and the people that work hard.”
