Business Profile: Cimmini's Italian Restaurant

For Kelsey and Joe DeBoard, owners of Cimmini's Italian Restaurant in Niwot, the path to becoming restaurateurs was paved with entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to return home. The couple, who have been together for nearly 22 years, opened their doors at 300 Second Avenue in January 2022, bringing their unique blend of culinary passion and community focus to downtown Niwot.

Kelsey, a Longmont native and Niwot High School graduate, spent her grade-school years in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she would later meet Joe, an Ohio native. The couple built a life together in Florida before deciding to return to Colorado in 2004 to be closer to Kelsey's family. Their entrepreneurial journey began early in their relationship, starting with a delivery business which they eventually phased out to pursue their restaurant dream.

The decision to open in Niwot was deeply personal for Kelsey. "I loved the town, the feel, and it seemed like the right thing to do," she said. The restaurant's name itself carries a special meaning, derived from Kelsey's family history. Kelsey's maiden name, Jimmie, was originally "Cimmini" before being Americanized at Ellis Island.

Their partnership thrives on complementary strengths. Joe, with his natural attention to detail and passion for cooking, leads the kitchen operations. Through research and experimentation, he developed all of Cimmini's recipes from scratch, including their signature marinara sauce and meatballs. Kelsey, with her outgoing personality, manages the front of the house, focusing on building relationships with customers and creating a welcoming atmosphere.

The couple's commitment to family extends beyond their business partnership. Parents to two daughters – ages 4 and 13 – with a baby on the way, the DeBoards have structured their business around family life. They close the restaurant for a daily "halftime" break from 2 - 4:00 p.m.and remain closed on Mondays and Tuesdays to ensure quality family time.

To balance the demanding 12- to 14-hour days of restaurant ownership with raising a family, the DeBoards rely on support from Kelsey's parents. Her father helps at the restaurant while her mother assists with child care, a system that proved especially valuable when they opened at the ease of COVID restrictions with a baby at home.

"My family is really important to us," Kelsey emphasizes. "We couldn't have done this without them." This appreciation for their family is reflected throughout their menu, where dishes are named after loved ones, including "Mimi's Breakfast" and "Papo's Breakfast," honoring Kelsey's parents, and the "Joeseppi Calzone," a nickname Joe has for their eldest daughter.

After starting multiple businesses together throughout their relationship, the DeBoards have found their perfect fit with Cimmini's. They feel their success in Niwot comes not just from their complementary business skills, but also from their ability to create a family atmosphere that extends beyond their own household to embrace the entire community.

"Without the community, it wouldn't be so much fun," Kelsey reflects. "They have embraced us and really helped us grow." Regular customers have become extended family, sharing not just meals but life stories, ideas, and even gifts.

Cimmini's represents more than just a restaurant to the DeBoards. They feel it is a dream realized in exactly the right place. "I don't think we could do this anywhere else and have the same feel as the community that we have built here," Kelsey said. "Niwot is really advantageous to community building. Everyone loves that."