OUR RESTAURANTS
THE PULPO GROUP (TPG) began in 2007 as a scrappy lunch counter, Sava’s State Street Café, started by 23 year old professional waitress and self-proclaimed ambassador of hospitality, Sava Lelcaj. The café became wildly popular amongst students and Sava became a household name and a local personality. In 2009 the humble café was out of a home when their building was sold to a developer which propelled Sava to take a leap of faith in jumping into a 300 seat restaurant that had just come on the market right across the street.
Sava and her team grew that scrappy lunch counter into an Ann Arbor institution and built a restaurant group with her team on the shoulders of genuine hospitality and unstoppable hustle.
WHY 'PULPO'
‘Pulpo’ is the Spanish word for Octopus: a majestic animal that possesses flavor and character beyond compare, and whose unique characteristics deeply inspire the way we do business. The Pulpo is adaptive, emotional, captivating, intelligent, intuitive, creative, flexible and mysterious. This symbol is a reminder of our ability to thrive in any condition and has become a source of inspiration for us.
OUR BUSINESSES
Today, TPG leads three acclaimed restaurants, each with their own unique concepts: Sava’s, Aventura, and The Dixboro Project: home to Dixboro House and The Boro.
OUR CULTURE
Our culture is the secret to our sustained success. What makes us who we are is defined by our guiding philosophy: Higher Conscious Hospitality. We believe that self-awareness, authenticity, and values alignment are essential to creating a conscious, healthy environment where our people take ownership of their journey and are constantly evolving. We cultivate the conditions for this growth through guidance, resources, and a unique energy that attracts the right people. The essence of our culture is consistently recognized by those who interact with us - it is our secret sauce and we invite all to join us at the table for a transformative experience.
OUR VALUES
Hospitality, Intention, Respect, Evolution.
