Mount Airy: Duo Behind Trinidadian Eatery Finally Find Home

Claudette Campbell rolls dough inside the restaurant she manages with her daughter.
Claudette Campbell rolls dough inside the restaurant she manages with her daughter.
Claudette Campbell rolls dough inside the restaurant she manages with her daughter.

Iman Marcano-Sowell always loved cooking, but it was never her dream until she and her mother opened their food stand, Calypso, in the Chestnut Hill Farmer’s Market in May 2009.

“I just knew that she could cook,” Marcano-Sowell said of her mother, Claudette Campbell. “And I knew that we would do well because quality is important, and I know that she has consistency in her food.”

At first it was difficult to convince Campbell to open up a stand in the farmer’s market, said Marcano-Sowell. Now, just four years later – thanks to Campbell’s quality and consistency – the two are proud to call a Mount Airy storefront home.

Nearly two weeks ago, Calypso opened its doors. Nestled in a quaint space along Germantown Avenue, the restaurant will serve up the same type of its beloved Trinidadian fare as before but will also feature some funky twist on good comfort food.

A customer eats dinner next to a view of busy Germantown Ave.
A customer eats dinner next to a view of busy Germantown Ave.

Previously, the two had been running a food truck, MiniTrini, at Love Park’s lunchtime food truck gathering. When Campbell had a stroke, however, they lost their position because Marcano-Sowell couldn’t run the food truck alone.

Ultimately, however, Marcano-Sowell said she is pleased with Calypso’s current location.

“I had always wanted to be in Mount Airy,” said Marcano-Sowell. “I just felt like our style of food, our commitment to, you know, family – easy family dining – and good healthy options would do well in this community.”

Calypso is located at 7122 Germantown Ave. in Mount Airy. They are open from Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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