Inie Ribustello began her career in food and wine after moving from North Carolina to New York City, where she attended the Institute of Culinary Education. She advanced in her wine career as Assistant Cellar Master at Windows on the World, later becoming Beverage Director and wine buyer for the largest-grossing restaurant in North America. Following the 9/11 attacks, which personally and professionally impacted her, Inez returned to her hometown of Tarboro to open On the Square, a restaurant, wine bar, and retail store. In 2016, she co-founded Tarboro Brewing Company, a microbrewery. Inez self-published her memoir, Life After Windows, in 2021, and in 2023, co-authored the cookbook On the Square: The Community that Made a Restaurant. She now serves as Director of Hospitality for the Frankie Lemmon Foundation, a nonprofit supporting children with and without disabilities.
Get to know Inie!
What part of your job doesn’t feel like work? Getting to know our supporters better
What’s something small that makes your day way better? Yoga with Adriene
If your personality had a theme song, what would it be? Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus
What are you reading?The Art of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad and Grace upon Grace: One Million Decisions by Derek Maul
Pet Feature: My beautiful Bagel who I love with all my heart.
