At The Granary, building community means more than creating new homes. It means investing in the people and businesses that already make Milton a special place to live.
That’s why The Granary partnered with Milton Main Street Board to fund its Small Business Grant Program, providing $10,000 to support projects that help local businesses grow and improve the experiences they offer.
As part of our Meet the Grant Winners series, we’re introducing you to the people behind the selected businesses—including Preston Russell, owner of Zava Café and Lago Asian Cuisine & Sushi Bar in downtown Milton.
Creating Two Distinct Dining Experiences
Preston has been doing business in Milton for more than three and a half years. Today, he operates two restaurants in the heart of downtown, each with its own distinct concept and personality.
At Zava Café, Preston’s vision was to create a comfortable, community-centered atmosphere where people could gather over coffee and enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Lago offers something different: a culturally diverse dining experience centered around sushi and Asian-inspired dishes.
While the restaurants have their own identities, they share an important purpose. Both are designed to bring people together through good food, welcoming surroundings, and meaningful connections.
Enhancing the Customer Experience
Preston applied to the Milton Main Street Board Small Business Grant Program to fund incremental improvements at both restaurants, such as brand new chairs and an espresso maker.
“We have a great thing going now,” Preston explained. “But I also want to make sure that the enhancements and the experience are full circle with the food and the atmosphere.”
For Preston, the environment surrounding a meal is an important part of the experience. The food, décor, and overall atmosphere should work together so customers immediately understand the restaurant’s identity when they walk through the door.
Funding from the Granary-sponsored grant program helped Preston make enhancements that strengthened that experience at Zava and Lago.
“The small-business grant has helped my business tremendously,” he said.
These improvements may seem small individually, but together they help create and elevate the experience of the restaurants.
Building Bridges Around the Table
When asked why he enjoys the restaurant business, Preston’s answer was immediate: the people.
“People make me excited,” he shared. “I always love building bridges with people, finding out where they’re from and never putting up a wall—because everybody has a story.”
On the weekends, Preston enjoys walking through both restaurants, talking with customers, and learning what brought them through the doors. Those conversations are central to the kind of businesses he wants Zava and Lago to be.
His hope is that both restaurants will continue growing sustainably while remaining places where people can bring their friends and families for years to come.
For Preston, restaurants aren’t simply places to eat. They’re places where relationships begin, stories are exchanged, and people find a sense of belonging.
What Community Means to Preston
Community is at the heart of Preston’s approach to business.
“Community means everything,” he said. “Community means a sense of belonging, a sense of peace, a sense of pride and, overall, just a good feeling.”
That is also what he loves most about Milton.
Preston appreciates the town’s people, atmosphere and ability to bring everyone together through concerts, parades and other local events. He sees a community that supports its businesses, creates experiences for people of all ages and works together to make something special happen.
“The people make every day special to me,” he said. In return, Preston wants his restaurants to give something meaningful back: welcoming places where residents and visitors can gather, celebrate and share a meal.
Finding a Sense of Home in Delaware
Originally from New York City, Preston now lives in Lewes and is searching for a home in Milton.
Delaware reminds him of where he grew up, offering the same sense of peace and belonging that drew him here in the first place. When asked what he would say to someone considering moving to Delaware, his answer was simple: “Do it!”
Outside the restaurants, Preston enjoys spending time with his children, who love visiting Zava and Lago almost as much as they enjoy trips to Funland.
It’s another reflection of the future he envisions for his businesses: local establishments where families can make memories together for generations.
Supporting the Businesses That Bring Milton Together
Preston’s story shows how an investment in a small business can create a wider impact.
The improvements supported by the grant help strengthen his restaurants, but they also contribute to downtown Milton’s dining scene and create more opportunities for people to connect.
As The Granary grows, we want the local businesses that give Milton its character to grow alongside it. Supporting business owners like Preston is one way we can invest in the broader community we’re proud to become part of.
Congratulations to Preston and the teams at Zava Café and Lago Asian Cuisine & Sushi Bar! We’re proud to support the experiences you’re creating and the bridges you’re building throughout Milton.
FAQ: