Queer Women We Love, Red Hot Entrepreneurs, Wonder Women

Workin’ It 2010

November 8, 2010 Cheryle Burke, Kat Long

Some chefs spend years in pricey culinary institutes trying to master natural foods. Deborah Gavito, proprietor of the snazzy NYC vegetarian restaurant Counter, learned the art of cooking with seasonal produce and edible weeds from her grandmothers. Gavito’s early fascination with natural cooking has grown into a long-time dedication to local and sustainable foods: her first venture, an all-natural baked goods business called Body & Soul, debuted in 1993. She sold her scrumptious treats at the Union Square Greenmarket, where she developed an appreciation for family farmers, and earned enough dough (pun intended) to open Counter in 2003. As Counter’s proprietor, Gavito designs fresh vegetarian fare, biodynamic wines and cleverly named organic vodka martinis (one is called “The Angry Lesbian”). “I waited on tables years and years ago, but other than that, I’ve only worked for myself,” Gavito says. “I don’t think I could take orders from any one else.”

45 of 2010’s Red Hot Entrepreneurs

Kathryn Livelli, owner of the beloved lesbian art and gifts store Womencrafts in Provincetown, Mass., left the corporate world 20 years ago as part of an overall life change. “My life partner, Deb Estevez, and I moved to Provincetown from New Jersey following a serious car accident in 1990,” Livelli says. “We made the decision to re-prioritize, arriving in Provincetown unemployed, but thrilled to be starting a new and different life together. We took ownership of Womencrafts—which has been open since 1976—in 1998.” Sadly, Estevez passed away last year, leaving Livelli as the sole proprietor. “I am so privileged to be able to carry out the mission of Womencrafts,” Livelli says. “Each year I am able to introduce dynamic new artisans from all over the country, and I continue to be challenged with all of the responsibility that comes with running a shop that holds such meaning to so many women.”