Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/15710
LONGBEACHMAGAZINE.COM 63 time on Sunday mornings." In a short time she turned the small unassuming coffeehouse and art gallery into a Zagat-rated business that has become one of the city's best hotspots and hangouts for many locals ranging from politicians, police and fire workers to working professionals, students, artists, musicians and other local people. On an average day Portfolio sees 600- 1000 customers a day with 20-30 percent being repeat customers and most are local. Portfolio has done so well that, not even a bad economy, which saw numerous businesses struggle in the city, and especially on 4th Street, could not stop the business savvy Kansteiner. All she did was increase the lunch menu to make it more bistro-like and more affordable than many restaurants. She went on to open the small coffee shop The Annex adjacent to the Art Theater in August 2008. Kansteiner is extremely active in the community. She said she tries keeping her finger on the pulse of things in the area because she feels that she owes it to the community. She often attends City Council meetings and hosts the 4th Street Business Association meetings once a month at Portfolio, where she serves as president to see how she can better her business and the surrounding ones on 4th Street. Although she will have her hands full as she take on this new venture, she has had all this well thought out from the very beginning. Along with the 30-plus employees she has at Portfolio and the Annex, she will have to hire an additional 10 for the new place. She said she plans to turn over the daily reins of Portfolio to longtime friend and right-hand man Charles Fadel, and the Annex over to Raquel Jensen. Kansteiner said that one of the many things that have helped her be so successful is having so many great and loyal employees and customers around her. "All the people who come here are all familiar with each other," said Jay Bloomer, who has worked at Portfolio for 10 years. "You can come here at any time of the day and chances are you will see someone you know. Kerstin has a lot to do with that because she has such a great sense of community. She's an extremely generous person and is a very hands-on boss." The expectation for Kansteiner's newest venture is that the strong sense of community and success will continue. n Photo and rendering courtesy of Kerstin Kansteiner KERSTIN KANSTEINER