Steven Yglesias, the owner of Owner of Mompou Tapas & Wine Bar and president of the Ironbound Business Improvement District, was honored by ARJ Civic Association with a community leader award at the association's First Annual Leadership Awards Breakfast held on March 12, 2015 in the Crystal Room of the Robert Treat Hotel.

Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr. presents the community leadership award to Steven Yglesias, the owner of Owner of Mompou Tapas & Wine Bar and president of the Ironbound Business Improvement District. Also pictured, Ramon Rivera, the vice chair of ARJ Civic.

Mr. Yglesias is a seasoned entrepreneur with more than 30 years of diverse business experience. His record demonstrates a zeal for uniting and motivating individuals and organizations to succeed as a team with common goals through strategic planning, data and market analysis, professional development and effective communications.

His professional career began in retail operations and management. An entrepreneur at heart, Steve successfully opened a brick and mortar retail sporting goods store in Newark’s historic Ironbound District.

Pegasus Sporting Goods capitalized on his International acumen by importing apparel and equipment previously unavailable in the United States based on his relationships with top professional soccer teams from Portugal and Spain. Working with leading brands like Nike, Adidas and Puma, he expanded the Pegasus footprint to include stores in both Newark and Jersey City, importing and exporting sporting goods through overseas companies he created and operated.

Steve sold the business to concentrate on property development and management, including commercial and residential projects in Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey. He supervised construction and maintenance programs and was responsible for financial operations including purchasing, accounts payable and receivables.

A keen eye for business opportunities led Steve to another venture in 2005, opening the first small plates concept restaurant in Newark’s Ironbound District, recognized as one of New Jersey’s top dining destinations. He transformed a historic property he owns in a prime location on Ferry Street into Mompou, a modern, sophisticated and inviting tapas restaurant and lounge that has earned stellar reviews from the NY Times, NJ Monthly, Star Ledger/NJ.com and other leading publications as well as Yelp, Urban Spoon, Trip Advisor and other online forums.

Steve supervised the design, construction and redevelopment of the restaurant space, and manages all employees and daily restaurant activities including hiring, procurement, marketing, finances and compliance. He directs personal and group sales related to on and off-site catering activities, and oversees food and beverage operations including development of menus and wine/spirits lists.

A business owner/operator and real estate investor/developer in Newark since 1988, Steve has worked with four Mayoral administrations and has played an active role as a contributor to the ongoing transformation of the City of Newark.

As a Newark native with roots in the Ironbound District, he has made a personal and professional commitment to support economic and business development, serving as President of the Ironbound Business Improvement District (IBID).

He leads the volunteer board of the public/private partnership funded through special assessments on commercial properties to foster economic growth and employment opportunities in the district. Under his leadership, the IBID promotes interest in the Ironbound and the City of Newark as a great place to visit for shopping, dining, culture and entertainment and to live, work and learn.

The organization continues to oversee upgrades and improvements to the District by focusing on quality of life issues such as sidewalk and street cleaning, parking changes and pedestrian signage, public safety and other local issues and supports the multi-million dollar streetscape redevelopment plan that is transforming the Ferry Street corridor and encouraging additional development and investment.

Steve works cooperatively with various individuals and departments from the City of Newark, Urban Enterprise Zone Program, Brick City Development Corporation (now Newark Community Economic Development Corporation), Ironbound Community Corporation and other organizations that support Newark’s revitalization. As a volunteer, he also serves as a Board Member for Greater Newark Conservancy and the Baraka Administration’s Transition Team through the Newark Department of Economic Development.

He and his wife, Mia, reside in Basking Ridge, New Jersey with their daughter Maya. Steve enjoys tennis, golfing, skiing and traveling.