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Epicurean Cutting Surfaces
An environmentally friendly addition to gourmet kitchens.
Owners:
Dave Benson, Greg Benson and Tony Ciardelli
Location:
Duluth, Minnesota
Financing:
$530,000 SBA 504 real estate loan for $1,839,035 building purchase and remodeling project
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Epicurean Cutting Surfaces® manufactures professional-grade cutting surfaces for residential kitchens. The unique cutting boards have been a hit in the gourmet market and are now carried by major retailers Bed, Bath & Beyond; Crate & Barrel; and Target.
In 1997, brothers Dave and Greg Benson teamed together with their friend Tony Ciardelli to form the company TrueRide, which soon became one of the premier designers and builders of skate parks in the country. They found their next venture lying in the corner of their factory. It turns out the material used for skate parks is an ideal cutting surface and is also the perfect way for the environmentally conscious team to put their excess material to good use. The cutting surfaces are composed of multiple layers of eco select paper that are soaked in a food-safe resin. The result is a solid, durable material that is dishwasher safe and approved by the National Sanitary Foundation (NSF). Better yet, it has the same knife-friendly feel of wood.
When major retailers signed on for distribution, Epicurean needed to expand their manufacturing facilities. That’s when they turned to MBFC. They were able to easily procure a $530,000 SBA real estate loan to expand their factory. The fixed rate and speedy close gave them the financial infusion they needed to quickly meet the growing demand for their products. Now they offer 48 different SKUs, available in 15 international markets.
In 2008, Epicurean received both the Minnesota and Upper-Midwest Region V Small Business Exporter of the Year Awards from the U.S. Small Business Administration. This prestigious honor is given to a small business that has increased sales, profits and/or growth of employment because of their creative, successful approach to exporting.
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