We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nickquae Perry. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nickquae below.

Nickquae, appreciate you joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

The opening of Lucky’s Cocktail Lounge was in the making for well over 10 years. The first time I had the idea to open a bar was in 2010. I’m from Pittsburgh, PA and in my state Liquor License cost hundreds of thousand dollar. There was an opportunity to purchase a building with a Liquor License attached in an auction.

This was at the height of “There an app for that!” I was only planning to serve appetizers so the name of the place would be APPS and everything would be digital and the menu would be like a screen with every item looking like an app. I had an entire menu in a day or so.

At this time, I was an undergrad at Point Park University and I was doing all of the foot work to secure this sale while my mom was driving me all over the city and planning to fund my plan. After all of the running and research the building never made it to the auction.

Once I graduated I moved to NYC and bounced around in different industries before becoming intentional in hospitality. In 2014 my goal was to get a job in every role/position possible in hospitality so I would know what to except, how to handle it and lead from a place of compassion.

I work in corporate/admin during the day and served tables at night. For 6 six years on average I work 6 days a week 16 hours a day. My morning job was for living expenses and my night job was saving for Lucky’s Cocktail Lounge. This allowed me to learn labor laws, payroll, scheduling, KPIs, staffing resolutions, management skills, multitasking, prioritizing, delegation, and host of other things.

As I grew my vision did too and soon APPS was fading and LUCKY’S was coming closer to reality.

I started looking for spaces in 2017.
I found my contractor in 2018.
I got approved for my SBA 7A loan in 2019.
I signed my lease in July 1, 2019, I was done building out the space December 2019 and just waiting on the liquor license.
My Liquor license came March of 2020 by then the world was shut down due to COVID 19. After 7 months of waiting we opened on October 19, 2020.

Nickquae, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hey! My name is Nickquae “Lucky” Perry and I am the owner & operator of Lucky’s Cocktail Lounge! I am a Pittsburgh native who moved to Brooklyn in 2013. I am a SAG, a WORKAHOLIC and only child. WHEW, that was a mouth full. Depending on who you are you are either in love with me or can’t stand me after that sentence. I recently became a WIFE and this is maybe the most honorable role/title that I have thus far. Now that you know a little bit of personal information about me let’s hop into my business experience.

I have B.A. in Advertising & PR with a minor in Entrepeurship. I’ve been a tax payer since I was 14 years old. I have held countless positions at various companies in numerous industries (Retail, Non Profit, Education, Hospitality) and started 5 businesses before LUCKY’S Cocktail Lounge.

I was introduced to cooking at 5 years old and often cooked with my Grandad, Aunt Linda & Aunt Channy.

While working in fine dining I was often compliment about how hospitable I was and how it seems very natural for me. My entire life my Grandad’s house was run like a fine dining establishment (everyone was a VIP) and I never notice it. My family called my Grandfather’s house Headquarters and we gathered there for dinners, parties, cookouts and everything in between at least 3 times a week.

When guest would arrive everyone would greet them (HOST). One person would take their coats/hat and place them in my Grandad’s bedroom (COAT CHECK). Another would hand them a Pink Panty- that’s a family cocktail (BARTENDER). Another would bring them a plate (FOOD RUNNER). Someone else would remove the plate (BUSSER). And my Grandad would touch the table (GENERAL MANAGER).

A dinner at Headquaters had simple steps of service that were never discussed just excepted. Although everyones action was tied to title we acknowledge the help/team work that everyone contributed for a seamless and fun night.

With this upbringing I don’t think there is any other industry that I would thrive in except hospitality.

LUCKY’S Cocktail Lounge is a warm & intimate neighborhood cocktail lounge that offers a distinct spirit program accompanied by full flavored tapas in Brooklyn, NY. Our vision is to enrich the lives we touch through genuine and detailed hospitality.

I had a group of middle school students from Beginning with Children Charter School come visit LUCKY’S. I gave them a tour, we had a Q&A regarding operations, capital and staffing after we enjoyed lunch and hungout for a couple of hours. This was the most rewarding because it is very similar to the work that I am aiming to do with F.O.C.U.S.

F.O.C.U.S was founded in 2011 during my undergrad studies at Point Park University as non profit mentor program. Today the objective of F.O.C.U.S is to help others find their FOCUS. Everyones FOCUS is different; secure a new job, get a raise, save money, start a business, prioritize self care or family time, expand business, learn how to read fiscal statements and etc.

While I am woking on building an app, digital worksheets and mentoring service. This is the work that I am most excited to do. I remember staying up all hours of the night searching for answers and mentors and the idea for FOCUS is to make the information and mentorship easy to access for others.

I am looking forward to building a hospitality group with fun and exciting concepts. LUCKY’S Cocktail Lounge is just the first of many.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

I started the process for securing a SBA 7A Loan in June of 2018 and didn’t secure such loan until June of 2019.

I went to SCORE website and made an appointment to meet with someone regarding capital. When I arrived I meet with Gurudutt Baliga, we went over my business plan and I informed him that I had owned a home gifted to me from my mother outright. He immediately called Sterling Nation Bank and connected me with Barrington Edie Jr. . They require that I open an account and transfer my savings to an account with Sterling if I was going to be applying with a business loan.

After 6 months of requested documents, applications and countless questions I was denied the business loan from Sterling National Bank. However, the Banker that I was working with introduced me to a loan office Simone Obermaier at Pursuit. After another 6 months of requested the loan was granted for LUCKY’S Cocktail Lounge.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Running my business on the ground floor. Any one who owns a business already knows that you stop working 40 hours a week to work 120 hours a week. LOL.

I served tables, bartend and even cooked for the first two years of operating LUCKY’S Cocktail Lounge. This allowed me to learn my business trends, receive feedback in the moment and control the quality of everything that hit the table.

I was always there to triple check cocktails, food presentation, steps of service and order of operations.

I trained all staff myself and I was able to lead by example & in action so they can see the way I treated guests and mirror those same experience but in a their own way.

The best thing about running LUCKY’S Cocktail Lounge on the ground floor is the rapport that I built with the guests. We have a great community and LUCKY’S is an extension of my living room. Those who have been coming since 2020 feel a personal connections with the space because they were with us from the start and they can relay on us for quality products and excellent service.

Contact Info:

• Website: luckyscocktail.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/luckyscocktail
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LuckysCocktail/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/lucky-s-cocktail-lounge-new-york
• Other: Google Reviews: Lucky’s Cocktail Lounge

Image Credits
Theodore Carbone Andres David Lopez