Karim El-Gamal: Trail Blazer
PHOTO/NATHAN FISKE
Karim El-Gamal, Co-owner of Rail Trail Flatbread Co.
Downtown Hudson is hip. It's happening. If you haven't been recently, you could almost be forgiven for not knowing that there are serious draws in the downtown which now hosts to the Rail Trail Flatbread Co., New City Microcreamery and a speakeasy that work together to set a new downtown tone.
Those three locations were all built up by El-Gamal and his family. Sarah Cressy, the president & CEO of the Assabet Valley Chamber of Commerce, points out all three locations cover customers aged 2 to 92 and create a real draw for the town.
“The rapid success of the Rail Trail Flatbread Co. clearly exemplifies heightened opportunity in Hudson's downtown,” Cressy said.
This new food economy has highlighted the area as a foodie destination. Downtowns such as Hudson's were built to service surrounding areas, Cressy said, and in Hudson that split had been with approximately 40 percent of people coming from surrounding communities. But with the new buzz that number has creeped up to 50 percent in Cressy's estimation.
It is the cohesion and support that El-Gamal has created with other ventures that cements his importance to the community, with collaborations such as with Medusa Brewery.
Q&A
What is the secret to success in Hudson?
Hudson is all about community. You have to be part of the town's history and pride.
How can restaurants stand out?
Today's guests are more discerning. To exceed their expectations, a restaurant has to consistently make unique delicious recipes from scratch.
Gathered below are the other Central Massachusetts' 2016 Power Players:
Standard Bearers: Long-time forces in the business community
- Timothy P. Murray, President & CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Mike Angelini, Chairman of Bowditch & Dewey
- The Crowleys, Owners & Shareholders of Polar Beverages & Wachusett Mountain Ski Area
- Sandy L. Dunn, General manager at the SMG/DCU Center
- Don Irving, President of Black Point Realty & Nichols Square LLC
Trail Blazers: Pioneers setting the latest economic trends
- Ed Moore, President & CEO of Harrington HealthCare System
- Girish Navani, CEO of eClinicalWorks
- Kevin O’Sullivan, President & CEO of Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives, Worcester
- Alec Lopez & Sherri Sadowski, Owners of Armsby Abbey/Crust Bakeshop/The Dive Bar
Behind the Scenes: People in the background who keep the wheels turning
- Cheryl Lapriore, Chief of staff & chief marketing officer at UMass Memorial Health Care
- Gordon Lankton, Retired president of Nypro Inc.
- Ann T. Lisi, President & CEO of the Greater Worcester Community Foundation
- Kate McEvoy-Zdonczyk, Vice president of business development at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
- Jim McGovern & Karyn E. Polito, U.S. Congressman & Lieutenant Governor
Next Wave: Forward thinkers ushering in the new economy
- Travis McCready, President & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
- Che Anderson, Project manager at the Office of the Worcester City Manager
- Jeannie Hebert, President & CEO of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce
- Dean Rohan, Co-founder & owner, Tree House Brewing Co.
- Christine Thomas, Development partner at XSS Hotels and Colwen Management
Gear Shifters: Up-and-comers breathing new life into old ideas
- Meredith Harris, Executive director of the Marlborough Economic Development Corp.
- Tarek Elsawy, MD President & CEO of Reliant Medical Group
- Justin & Ashleigh Gelinas, Attorneys at Gelinas & Ward, LLP
- Cliff Rucker, Owner of the Worcester Railers Hockey Club and Worcester Sports Center
- Matthias Waschek, Director at the Worcester Art Museum
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