Meet Our Team

 Havana Central Ridge Hill, Rendering

We cannot believe in three short months Havana Central Ridge Hill will be open its doors!  But where did this all start? Why Forest City’s Ridge Hill?  Jeremy Merrin, CEO of Havana Central, first looked into this space in Yonkers, New York in early 2010; he was looking for a space that could draw a large volume of consumers and in an area that was begging for Cuban cuisine.  Ridge Hill, Yonkers fit the bill with its large assortment of retailers, Monarch luxury residential condos and the full new “Urban Lifestyle” approach.   Havana Central took its first steps toward its goal of becoming a high quality, large format Cuban restaurant with the ground break for Havana Central Ridge Hill in November 2011.  We’d like you to meet three of the key people that have made this restaurant possible.

Brian Stys, President of Stys Hospitality 

Brian Stys

Brian Stys has over twenty five years of experience in the construction industry with a focus in hospitality.  In 2011 Stys, took his vision to provide owner's project management that strictly focuses on the hospitality industry, something he felt was a missing option for growing hospitality clients, and started Stys Hospitality Initiative.  Stys has developed a comprehensive list of industry experts and vendors, a network that he leverages to ensure the client’s needs are met or exceeded.  Havana Central brought Stys on to the Ridge Hill project to ensure successful and timely completion of our Yonkers restaurant. 

Garrett Singer, Principal of Garrett Singer Architecture & Design

Growing up in a family of architects, fashion designers and interior designers, Garrett Singer was destined to have a career in the design industry.   Garrett crossed paths with several local restaurateurs looking to open small trendy restaurants in his own neighborhood of lower Manhattan and in 2000, Garrett Singer Architecture & Design was formed.  Havana Central Ridge Hill is the third location Singer has designed for Havana Central creating a vibe that conjures images of a pre-revolution Havana through the use of warm tropical colors, brushed steel, old woods, vintage black-and-white photos of legendary Cuban stars and the art deco magazine posters of 1920 & 30’s.  The dark mahogany bar is reminiscent of the original Sloppy Joe’s Bar, a popular watering hole in Havana.  While the arches and columns are inspired by Cuba’s colonial architecture.  These fine details present a portal to Cuba’s golden era, when life on the island paradise was a continuous party.

Tom Selementi, General Manager of Havana Central Ridge Hill

Tom Selementi

Tom Selementi brings more than 10 years of management expertise to the table from businesses ranging from big-box restaurants to successful start-ups.  He joined the Havana Central team in 2010 to help lead the company into its next phase of development as we expand into additional markets.  He was General Manager of Havana Central Union Square until its closing in April 2011, since then he has been instrumental in the development of Havana Central Ridge Hill, working full time for nearly a year on this project.  He has been intimately involved since the beginning and will be the General Manager of Havana Central Ridge Hill upon opening.  He welcomes you to step in and visit 19050's Havana, Cuba in Yonkers, New York.