Q&A with Sally Kane of the Coronet

In honor of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, we’re highlighting some of the inspiring women within the culinary & hospitality community. Today, we interview Sally Kane, co-owner of the Coronet.

What inspired you to open your own restaurant?

I come from a family that was in the restaurant business. We dined out often and the dinner conversation centered around the business of restaurant. When I was grown, there was nothing I loved more than discovering a wonderful restaurant that had charm and enjoying a meal prepared with love. After living in many places, I finally came home to my hometown of Tucson. I had trouble finding the kind of place that I enjoyed dining in. A place that feels timeless, with nooks and crannies you can tuck away in. Where time moves at its own pace and when you return, it feels as if you are home.

Can you share your journey in the hospitality or business world that led you to restaurant ownership?

I had many jobs when I was younger, mostly in the service industry. I was a dishwasher, prep cook, baker, barista, and server, however I was always creative and studied art in college. I lived in Ireland in my 20s and I started a jewelry business there and also booked live music. Upon returning to the United States, I worked on an indie film and after it wrapped, I found myself at loose ends. Knowing I was a bit fearless though untrained, my brother offered me the job of refinishing his wood floors. I did them, as well as paint his whole interior and doing painted decorative work.

One job led to another, and I became a licensed commercial & residential paint contractor, specializing in high-end interior and exterior paint, color design, historic renovation, faux finishing, and surface and furniture restoration. I was good at this work and also understood how to scale, however much of the specialized work was still mine and mine alone to do. I was physically feeling the ramifications of laboring 50-60 hours a week and working another 20 running the business. After over 20 years of doing labor, I needed to find a way to make a thing that was less demanding on my body.

What challenges did you face when launching your restaurant, and how did you overcome them?

There were so many challenges I faced when I decided to create my own restaurant. But the first was raising capital as an unproven entity. I could see it all. The menu, the space, the experience, the details. So I felt I needed to show a potential investor what was in my head. I spent a very long time not only writing an incredibly detailed business prospectus, but I also made it physically beautiful in appearance and in presentation. To me, it is all about the details.

What makes your restaurant unique in Tucson’s dining scene?

I think what makes The Coronet Restaurant, Coronet Cafe & Nightjar special in the Tucson dining scene is that we have never been a niche restaurant and have never followed trends. We have always made food that inspires us and that we want to eat! More than that, historical settings have always moved me and I believe does so for others.

The original Coronet was in the old Coronado Hotel (hence the Coronet name). I had eyes on the Cushing Street property for a long time, and was truly over the moon when the opportunity arose. It means so much to me to have the whole property engaged for guests to enjoy. Whether a special occasion dinner, a quiet canoodle over a cocktail or just a corner to work in for hours, the property is there for guests to engage with it.

How do you balance the financial, operational, and creative aspects of running a restaurant?

I am not always in balance. That is the daily struggle. I surround myself with an incredibly strong management team, have layered daily communication systems in place and do pilates and yoga 3-5 times a week

What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned from owning a restaurant?

I can’t do it all.

How do you build and maintain a strong team within your restaurant?

Finding the right people that are skilled, serious, trustworthy, engaged and that you frankly just click with, is mostly born out of pure luck — or so it seems to me. I know that being someone that folks want to work with helps, but that does not mean you always find each other. I am beyond lucky and I cherish my team and am grateful daily for them. I truly enjoy our twice a week manager meetings, our ability to problem solve, find solutions, change in real time, communicate with each other, and how we support each other. We also have multi-layered systems of communication, project management, productive meetings and face-to-face time with each other and the rest of the management and work team.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you as a female entrepreneur?

To be honest, it makes me a bit melancholy. I was born before woman could refuse the advances of her husband, before she had the right to hold the same job as a man, before an employer could still refuse to hire a woman if she had young children, before a woman could get her own credit — shall I go on? We have come so far and yet to be seen through a particular lens for our accomplishments, albeit very real, it also somehow makes me still feel less than.

What advice would you give to other women aspiring to own their own business?

If you are truly passionate, you can make a dream a reality. If you feel confused, it is because someone is withholding a truth. Surround yourself only with smart honest folks that you believe will care for your business and by extension, care for you.

Are there any female entrepreneurs or mentors who have inspired your journey?

Yes, my peers here in Tucson!

Rebecca Safford of Tap & Bottle, Amy Smith of Exo Roast Co., Sofie Albertsen, Tasha Bundy, and Mellow Dawn Lund of MAST, Erika Clum of Earthling Jewelry, Leslie Wood of La Curie, Crystal and Bonnie Flynt of BON, and Kira Dixon Weinstein of Gadsden Company, Jill Brammer of Che‘s Lounge – to name a few!

I am so lucky to call friend to so many makers, dreamers, and entrepreneurs here in Tucson.

How does your restaurant contribute to and engage with the Tucson community?

Beyond giving charitable contributions to dozens and dozens of local charities that focus on literacy, children’s well being, local mental health, the LGBTQIA community, and animals, as well as underwriting in a substantial way for local public media, we do a monthly queer bar takeover in the main restaurant (called Weimar Queer Bar to invoke that glorious time in Germany before it all went to hell ) and partner with Splinter Collective.

Our goal is to create a special space for all to feel present and welcome (and have a blast) and to help raise money for Splinter Collective to aid them in the community projects and outreach they are centered on.

What has been the most rewarding moment of your career as a restaurant owner?

When I realized how many jobs I was creating that folks actually enjoyed working at. For me that is the best reward in any of the businesses I have owned, creating work that others enjoy participating in.

If you could give one piece of advice to women about leadership and entrepreneurship, what would it be?

Listen to yourself.

The Coronet is located at 198 W. Cushing St. For more information, visit coronettucson.com.