Cafe’ Telegraph Works With the STL Partnership to Grow Their Business

Recently Cafe’ Telegraph received a Small Business Resource Loan through the STL Partnership. Cafe’ Telegraph is a family friendly restaurant and sports bar specializing in smoked meats, chicken wings and brick oven pizza. “The Partnership has been a huge part of our success,” said Bill Cieslinksi, Owner of Cafe’ Telegraph. “It was a great experience working with the organization during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Specialty cuisine at Cafe’ Telegraph (photo courtesy of Cafe’ Telegraph)

The cafe’ is located in the Lemay area in St. Louis and also takes pride in serving delicious made from scratch soups, salad dressings and sauces. Owners Matt Schweiss and Bill Cieslinski have been friends for over 20 years. They took an abandoned building and literally rebuilt it themselves. “Matt has always loved to cook and purchase real estate. I knew about the building and took Matt out to visit the site and that’s how Cafe Telegraph began,” said Cieslinski.

Large groups and one on one conversations with customers while dining in may be on hault for now, but Cafe’ Telegraph is still sustaining during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are doing curbside pickups and staying very active on social media to engage our current customers and new customers,” said Cieslinski. “We also have many weekly and family specials for customers to take advantage of.”

Customers dining at Cafe’ Telegraph before the COVID-19 Pandemic (photo courtesy of Cafe’ Telegraph)

Interior view of Cafe’ Telegraph, located in Lemay, MO (photo courtesy of Cafe’ Telegraph)

Cieslinski wants to encourage other restaurant owners to keep striving for success during this time. “Communication is the key. Let your customers always feel you are there for them,” said Cieslinski. “Our servers are trained to know our customers even in this situation. We want our customers to feel welcome and come back.”

In February of this year, Cafe’ Telegraph owners Cieslinski and Schweiss have also expanded to open a new location, Cafe’ Smok N Pi in Desoto, Mo. Cieslinski is eager to continue to be successful and serve delicious meals to the community. “We are a family owned restaurant and invested in our community 100%,” said Cieslinski. “We can’t wait for our customers to enjoy our dine in services soon.”

For more information about Cafe’ Telegraph visit their website here.