President Obama Dropped in on Taylor Gourmet Today

It was a big morning over at Taylor Gourmet's newest location on 14th Street. Why's that? Oh, you know, just a little visit from the President of the United States. Twitter was buzzing all morning about the motorcade on 14th Street and the security tent outside of the sandwich shop, and now everyone — the White House, Taylor Gourmet, the press pool report — confirms that it was President Obama.

Though he wasn't exactly stopping in for a hoagie, President Obama met with the sandwich shop's owners Casey Patten and David Mazza, as well as other local small business owners, for a roundtable discussion on his legislative "To Do List" stressing the need to invest in small businesses. Taylor Gourmet tweeted this picture (click to enlarge) of Patten and Mazza with Obama, and Patten tells Eater that he "sent [Obama] away with lunch." We hope to have more details from Patten later once things have calmed down a bit over there.

UPDATE: For more from Patten, including the best birthday story of the day, head right this way, please.

The pool report:

Motorcade rolled from the White House at 10:24 a.m. Arrived at 10:29 at Taylor Gourmet, a restaurant on 14th near T Street NW.

No POTUS sighting. Pool is currently holding outside.

From the White House:
This morning, the President will Taylor Gourmet, a small business in the Washington, DC where he will urge Congress to act on the “To Do List,” specifically highlighting the need to invest in small businesses and jumpstart new hiring by passing legislation that gives a 10 percent income tax credit to firms that create new jobs or increase wages in 2012 and that extends 100 percent expensing in 2012 for all businesses. The President will hold a roundtable discussion with small business owners who will benefit from these proposals as well as Small Business Administrator Karen Mills.

The individuals noted below will be participating in the roundtable discussion.

Casey Patten & David Mazza, Founders and Co-Owners Taylor Gourmet
Philadelphia natives Casey Patten and David Mazza are founders and co-owners of Taylor Gourmet, an Italian deli with four locations in the Washington, DC metropolitan region. As the chef and creative partner, Casey is knowledgeable in quick-serve and casual dining. He has been involved in the service industry since 1995. David is responsible for the business planning and has a background in real estate. They opened the first Taylor Gourmet location in 2008. Casey and David were approved for an SBA-backed loan that helped them purchase their third location on 14th Street NW in Washington, DC. They will open a fifth location this summer and plan to hire more than 25 new employees. Casey and David are residents of Washington, DC.

Brian J. Smith, Founding Principal Francis Lee Contracting
Brian J. Smith is a founding principal at Francis Lee Contracting, a three-year-old general contracting firm that specializes in construction. The company employs 14 people and is headquartered in Washington, DC’s Ward 8. Brian has twenty years of experience in the commercial real estate development and financial services industries. With the help of SBA counseling, the company has experienced tremendous success, seeing an annual revenue growth of over 75%. Brian plans to hire additional employees this year and purchase needed construction equipment. Brian is a resident of Arlington, Virginia.

Kathy Rachels, President of Yes! Organic Markets
Kathy Rachels is the president of Yes! Organic Markets. Kathy was born in Korea and immigrated to the United States in 1971. She went into business with her two brothers Gene and Gary Cha, opening their first Yes! Organic Market on Columbia Road NW in Washington, D.C. With the help of two SBA-backed loans, they were able to purchase two separate additional locations, 3425 Connecticut Avenue NW and 4100 Georgia Avenue NW in Washington, DC. Today there are eight locations in the Washington, DC metropolitan region. Kathy has plans to open an additional store and higher more employees. Kathy is a resident of Arlington, Virginia.

· Taylor Gourmet [Official Site]
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[Photo: @taylor_gourmet]