43rd Annual Civic trust awards
Civic Trust Award
Don Juan Mex Grill
This award is the highest tribute that the association of professionals can pay to a business, corporation or individual conducting commerce within the township boundaries of Palmer. It is intended to recognize significant physical improvement to existing properties, as well as new structures, which through the free-enterprise system, in turn, make an outstanding contribution to the business climate of the township.
Award Presentation by Debra Young
Our first Civic Trust Award this evening is presented to Don Juan Mex Grill. Juan Martinez, along with his wife Melanie, opened their first Don Juan restaurant located near Lafayette College on March Street in 2010. And although they are currently under construction for their 6th Don Juan location, Juan did a lot of traveling to get here.
Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, Juan came to the United States in 1997 at the age of 16. He put himself through college while working full time and going to school full time. He is a graduate of the prestigious Walt Disney Leadership and Hospitality College Program.
After college, Juan focused in the banking industry where he got a roll as a manager trainee at the age of 22 from one of the largest fortune 500 financial institutions, where he worked his way up to run Denovo operations, supporting startup branches. Juan was involved in project management, setting business processes for each new branch, hiring talent, marketing and growing the business.
In 2010, Juan and Melanie decided to pursue a new passion and opened State Café & Grill in downtown Easton and the Don Juan Mex Grill in College Hill. Today, the Don Juan Mex Grill brand has grown to five units, #6 currently under construction.
Don Juan Mex Grill is being recognized tonight for the improvements made to the property at 2600 William Penn Highway. We recognize the significant improvements to an existing property, making an outstanding contribution to the business climate of Palmer Township. Juan will share with us the details of his restaurant, but they are known to bring Latin inspired foods to local communities.
Juan is an active real estate investor & enjoys spending his free time reading, eating & traveling with his family. He holds an Associate Degree in Business Administration from LCCC, Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Muhlenberg College, a Master’s in Business Administration from De Sales University and Stanford University Graduate School of Business.
Juan is the American Dream. Congratulations on your success and welcome to Palmer Township!