Although Johanny Cepeda moved to Berks only nine years ago, her family ties to the region go way back. In less than a decade, the New York City native has opened successful eatery Mi Casa Su Casa, has run for Reading City Council, was named Executive Director of the Berks Latino Chamber of Commerce and serves on boards for the Reading Public Library and the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Devoted to her community and loved ones, Cepeda counts herself as fortunate to be able to balance work with family time, especially moments with daughter Enith Munroe, 13; son, Elias Munroe, 11; and her husband Felix Freytiz.
Q: You live in Reading but grew up in New York City, what brought you here?
I’d been visiting since my teens to spend time with lots of family who lived here. I was here for spring breaks in high school and college vacations. When I went to college in New York City, my mom and younger sister moved to Reading - I even had a summer job in the Fila store in the VF Outlets – and it always felt like home to me. Years later, I was living and working in New York with two small kids and the fast pace was too much. I was leaving my children sleeping in the morning to go to work, only to come home to them sleeping at the end of my day. I knew it was time to settle down and move here.
Q: How did you get into the restaurant business at that point?
So many of my family members are entrepreneurs and I wanted my own business too; I just had no idea it would be a restaurant. From age nine to 14, I lived in the Dominican Republic because my parents wanted us to have that experience. I have twin girl cousins that I spent a lot of time with there and we used to sketch clothing and dream of having our own fashion house. Years later, these same cousins opened a coffee shop at my location. After a while they didn’t want it anymore, so I took over. I renamed it and changed a lot but that’s how it started. It fell in my lap and seemed like a Godsend; I even had a feeling at the time that it was something I had to do.
Q: And it has allowed you to be with family – your children and parents?
Yes. My kids are growing up in the restaurant. And my dad has been there from the start in 2007 and he’s the best cook. My mom – I call her the boss – works in banking but helps with constructive advice. I joke that she can’t accept that he’s a better cook than her [laughs]. And I think of customers as family. We have many regulars and they have definitely become like family.
Q: What’s your favorite dish on the menu?
Oh boy. Chiccarones de pollo, which are breaded, fried chicken pieces that are juicy and crunchy, served with fried plantains. It’s not healthy, but it is delicious.
Q: What does a no-work, focus-on-fun day look like for you?
I have fun at work. I love to help and pay it forward whether at the restaurant or with the boards and organizations I serve. I can’t sit still [laughs], but a truly fun day is a day with my husband and kids doing nothing. Sitting around in our pajamas, watching movies and ordering food in. Just savoring those moments together.
Photo by John A. Secoges, Secoges Photographics
