Kim Strengari and Marianne Gere have proven that business and friendship do mix as their expanding restaurant business on the Main Line shows, writes Michael Klein for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The best friends now own two restaurants in West Conshohocken, Stella Blu and Gypsy Saloon, as well as the Southern Cross Kitchen in Conshohocken, the new Gypsy Blu in Ambler, and Conshy Girls Catering.

Speaking to the Inquirer, Strengari and Gere discussed their fast friendship, first joint business endeavors, and finding themselves in the restaurant business.

The two women met 21 years ago while working as bartenders at the same bar and have been best friends ever since. Their first restaurant, Bella Luna, was opened on the spur of the moment, despite very high rent.

“This is how we make a decision: ‘Here, we have this restaurant for you.’ ‘OK, great. We’ll take it,’” said Strengari.

It has not all been smooth sailing, however, as during the recession they had to start again from scratch.

“We were bartenders, we were waitresses, that’s how we made our money during those times,” adds Strengari.

But in the end, it has all worked out as they have several very popular establishments and their friendship is stronger than ever.

“I couldn’t imagine doing this with anyone else,” said Gere.

Read more about the Conshy Girls in the Philadelphia Inquirer by clicking here.