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It would be fitting for John Robertson, owner of an eatery featuring delights such as the Earth Angel Salad and the Basket of Sexy Egg Sandwiches, to add an eye-catching title to his business card. “Millennial Keeper” and “Outsourced Chief Culture Officer” are both fitting descriptions of a business owner who entices prospective corporate catering customers of this unique spot – the Sexy Salad in Hauppauge – with an offer that’s hard to resist: “Let me use my art to help your business.”

A long-time member of HIA-LI, Robertson recently welcomed CMM Managing Partner and HIA-LI Board Chairman Joe Campolo to the Sexy Salad’s newly expanded space on Adams Avenue in the heart of the Hauppauge Industrial Park (HIP) for a tour and discussion about the ways forward-thinking companies use catering to attract and retain top talent.

In the nearly 15 years since Robertson first opened his doors, the Sexy Salad has morphed from a hip lunch spot (which it remains today) to part of the solution for local businesses seeking to appeal to talent in the face of changing employee preferences and expectations. Reflecting on the common narrative that Long Island is hemorrhaging its young people who leave for the city or elsewhere, Robertson said that instead of fueling this “hysteria” over millennials, employers need to become part of the solution to keep our ambitious young people here. How? A critical step is to become an employer of choice by taking care of employees with food.

Robertson’s focus has therefore shifted from how to get hungry office workers in the door for lunch (though they are still welcomed with delicious food and terrific service) to expanding his catering services as a tool for Long Island businesses to keep their best and brightest workers happy and productive. Robertson knows this idea works because it’s how he’s grown his own business over the years with very little turnover. Each employee enjoys free lunch every day, despite ever-increasing costs. He hosts a summer barbecue for staff with a grab bag of gifts employees actually want. He sends new employees home with dinner for their families on Day 1. “Food is such an effective way to convey your appreciation,” Robertson said. “It’s a great way to take care of employees who work hard.”

Fellow business owner Campolo, who is in the trenches with Long Island’s business community every day and is working to modernize the HIP – the second largest industrial park in the nation after Silicon Valley – pointed to the gourmet cafeterias now commonplace in West Coast offices. When there’s high quality food in the office for the taking, employees not only feel valued, but they also save time – which means more productivity for employers. Robertson agreed that these non-monetary benefits are now critical to employee retention: “Food can be viewed as an expense, but forward-thinking companies use it as a tool, a benefit, an incentive.”

Robertson has always been an entrepreneur, selling lemonade to motorists waiting on line in his neighborhood during the 1970s gas crisis. He explained that he “worked a lot for a little in hopes of eventually working a little for a lot,” toiling away in hotels, NYC executive dining rooms, and food service companies before opening the Sexy Salad in 2003. Last year, he took advantage of the opportunity to double his footprint when the neighboring space opened up, creating Build a Burger adjoining his well-known eatery. His current involvement with the prestigious Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program has encouraged him to think even bigger, giving him the opportunity to get “re-motivated” to keep growing.

The Sexy Salad has already grown into a critical role helping successful Long Island businesses attract and retain employees in the most delicious way possible. Think about that the next time you sample a Sexy Salad Platter.

John Robertson, owner of the Sexy Salad on Adams Avenue in Hauppauge, recently welcomed CMM Managing Partner Joe Campolo for a tour and discussion about the ways forward-thinking companies utilize catering to attract and retain top talent. Next photo: Robertson takes great pride in the quality ingredients and exceptional service that are hallmarks of the Sexy Salad experience.

After the lunch rush! Next photo: Salad not your thing? There’s still plenty to choose from at the Sexy Salad.

No regular omelets here (“sexy” omelets are offered for breakfast). Next photo: Food for thought. How does your company boost employee morale?

The unique Sexy Salad logo adorns everything at the eatery from the cups to this wall clock. Next photo: Robertson opened the Sexy Salad in the heart of the Hauppauge Industrial Park in 2003. Last year, he seized on the opportunity to expand when the neighboring space became available, opening an adjoining Build a Burger and doubling his space.

A look at the seating area in the Build a Burger section. Next photo: Campolo and Robertson both credit HIA-LI with being a major driver of business.

Robertson is a longtime supporter of HIA-LI.

There’s no shortage of lofty reasons to eagerly await opening night at the state-of-the art Argyle Theatre in Babylon Village, namely: the positive impact of arts and culture on a region’s vitality. Millennials want to live and work in places where they can also play and find entertainment. The arts and culture sector often outranks other sectors in U.S. spending. Entire communities are planned around cultural spaces and the arts.

Not to mention, live theater is just SO GOOD!

The Argyle Theatre opens this month with a full schedule of Broadway-caliber shows, from Guys and Dolls to The Producers, featuring professional equity actors, at the newly renovated 1920s movie house that most recently housed Bow Tie Cinemas until closing in 2014. Joe Campolo, CMM Managing Partner and a lifelong patron and supporter of the arts on Long Island, was thrilled to receive a behind-the-scenes tour of the Argyle Theatre in April as construction crews completed the last phase of renovations.

The Argyle Theatre’s grand opening this month is the culmination of a lifelong dream for father and son co-owners Mark and Dylan Perlman, who purchased the building in 2017. The Argyle is set to become a regional destination: it is the second year-round professional equity theatre on Long Island and offers a convenient, right-in-my-backyard alternative to NYC for Long Islanders seeking a night out featuring live entertainment with the quality and style of Broadway. Only a five-minute walk from the Babylon LIRR station and surrounded by the vibrant Babylon Village downtown restaurant and shopping scene, the venue is sure to attract theatergoers beyond Long Island as well. A shuttle to and from the train is planned, and a bike rack is going up outside the building. (For those coming by car, the Argyle’s website will list nearby lots where parking is permitted during showtime.)

“We’re looking to make people think and feel,” said co-owner Mark Perlman of bringing professional, live theater to Long Island’s South Shore. “We’re incredibly excited to bring the Argyle Theatre to the public after a very long process.” The beautifully renovated single-theatre space features 250 seats at orchestra level and an additional 250 at mezzanine level, as well as top-of-the-line lighting, sound, and rigging systems.

Season tickets are available as well as single-show tickets for an inaugural season that also includes Hairspray, Peter and the Star Catcher, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Spring Awakening. Marty Rubin, the Argyle’s Director of Sales, has also put together corporate event packages for businesses looking beyond the boardroom for a unique venue that transports visitors to different time periods and places. Classes, summer programs, and children’s programs are also planned.

CMM is excited to welcome the innovative Argyle Theatre to Long Island and support its role in keeping our island a vibrant cultural destination. Check out these photos of our private tour in the weeks before the Argyle’s grand opening, then head over to https://argyletheatre.com/ or call 844-631-LIVE for tickets.

Pictured: Argyle Theatre co-owner Dylan Perlman, sales director Marty Rubin, and co-owner Mark Perlman invited CMM Managing Partner Joe Campolo to the 1920s-era former movie house on Main Street in Babylon Village during the last phase of construction in April. The Argyle Theatre’s inaugural season begins this month. Next photo: The iconic “Babylon” fluorescent sign will shine once again in Babylon Village.

The space has been completely renovated from its most recent past life as Bow Tie Cinemas. This state-of-the-art facility will now offer year-round professional equity theatre. Next photo: The 500-seat Argyle Theatre now seats 250 at orchestra level and 250 at mezzanine level.

The new single-theatre space features an orchestra pit, balcony, and top-of-the-line lighting, sound, and rigging systems. Next photo: Inside view of the front doors during construction. These posters advertise the last movies screened at the former movie theater before closing in 2014.

Marty Rubin and Joe Campolo check out the balcony. Next photo: Center and right, owning and operating the Argyle Theatre is a dream come true for father and son team Mark and Dylan Perlman. On the left is sales director Marty Rubin, who has reconnected with Mark, his former baseball teammate at Queens College.

Enter stage left: the view from the stage. This stage will feature productions of Guys and Dolls, Hairspray, Peter and the Star Catcher, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Spring Awakening, and The Producers in its grand opening season. Next photo: The Perlmans paid careful attention to every detail during the restoration. Here, a view outside from upstairs.

The Perlmans honored the theatre’s past, as well as their own journey to making their dream a reality, by including period furniture with a personal twist. This couch belonged to Mark Perlman’s parents. Next photo: Just one of the many dressing rooms backstage being readied for opening night.

State-of-the-art lighting awaits installation backstage. Next photo: This box office is now open! Single show and season ticket packages are on sale now – call 844-631-LIVE.