This is part of a year-long ‘Love for Local’ series called NB365: portraits of New Brunswick entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations. Every day, a new portrait will be shared through Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Huddle, a media partner with Love for Local. In this segment, Mathew Youden Of Mexi’s talks about what decades in the restaurant business tells him about the importance of supporting local.

I STARTED WORKING IN RESTAURANTS AND BARS MORE THAN 20 YEARS AGO AND INSTANTLY FELL IN LOVE WITH THE INDUSTRY. AFTER UNIVERSITY AND TRYING A FEW DIFFERENT JOBS, I FOUND MYSELF BACK WORKING IN RESTAURANTS AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER PURCHASED OUR MONCTON LOCATION.

Supporting local is everything. It helps keep businesses open, provides employment for neighbours, friends, and family. By supporting local, these successes remain in our community and provide the promise of growth.

We have been very fortunate with all the support that we have received in both our restaurant and franchised Express locations in Moncton. We could not be more grateful for our community. We are currently planning a renovation for our Main Street location to be able to better serve the community and we are thrilled about that!

Supporting local businesses has a real impact because it keeps all these wonderful local businesses thriving, supporting and giving back to their community so they can continue to grow together.