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A Chance Meeting Sparks Career

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By LOIS KINDLE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 24, 2007

APOLLO BEACH - A meal at the Cherry's on Bloomingdale Avenue is what started Jill Canavan, 31, on the road to becoming a restaurateur.

At the time, the University of South Florida graduate, who worked as a server at Cherry's Bloomingdale during her final year at USF, was employed as a mutual funds specialist at Raymond James Financial. During the meal, Canavan was approached by the brother of Cherry's Restaurants founder, David Schlarbaum. The brother told her Schlarbaum was expanding and needed help.

Tired of the corporate world, Canavan said she jumped at the opportunity and came aboard as marketing director. At age 27, she became part-owner of Cherry's Adamo, the headquarters of Cherry's Restaurants Inc.

She lived in Apollo Beach from 2001-06 and now resides in Riverview.

'I'm thrilled to be back in Apollo Beach,' Canavan said. 'We've been so well-received by the community. Local residents seem very pleased with our menu, love the outdoor patio and are happy to have a Cherry's here.'

Born in Rochester, N.Y., Canavan moved with her family to Brandon when she was 2. She grew up there, but graduated in 1994 from Largo High School, where her mom, Patricia, was assistant principal.

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