Fueled by a love for simple, wholesome food, a supportive family, and a passion for sharing quality meals with her community, Parker Schulz found the perfect recipe for her Fort Washington-based café, Isla Bistro.

Open since March 2025 and located at 550 Pinetown Road, #200, Isla Bistro reflects Schulz’s deep-rooted commitment to wellness and nutrition. The café offers fresh, thoughtfully prepared food, smoothies, and coffee — all served in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere that patrons have quickly come to love.

Schulz’s journey to launching Isla Bistro began with a lifelong dedication to health. A former Division I college swimmer and Exercise Science major, she developed a strong foundation in nutrition and wellness. After working as a personal trainer following the pandemic, she realized that wasn’t her true calling.

When a space became available in her mother’s office building, the opportunity clicked. “I thought, I really want to own a business,” Schulz recalls. With only two months to prepare, she and her family came together to bring Isla Bistro to life.

Rooted in her passion for clean, wholesome food, the café focuses on made-to-order meals and smoothies using only fresh ingredients. “While many places in the area offer smoothies, coffee, or food, so much of it often is processed or packaged; I wanted to create a place where everything is fresh and where the food makes you feel good after you eat it,” she stated. “I serve food I would actually, and do, eat myself.”

The menu at Isla Bistro is inspired by Schulz’s favorite meals: cozy sandwiches, fresh smoothies, and hearty salads like the homemade Cobb, a family favorite. Every item is crafted with care, prioritizing how customers feel after they eat.

“We had someone say, ‘I usually hate salad dressings, but yours don’t hurt my stomach,’” Schulz recalls, crediting her mother, who makes all the dressings from scratch with high-quality, gut-friendly ingredients.

Flexibility and transparency are key at Isla Bistro. Customers are encouraged to personalize their meals — whether gluten-free, vegan, or off-menu — as long as the ingredients are available. “Basically, we took a home kitchen and brought it here,” Schulz said. The result is food that’s not only nourishing but deeply personal, designed to move people away from processed meals toward something they can trust and enjoy every day.

Isla Bistro’s Community Roots and Future Growth

Schulz chose Fort Washington because of her personal and professional ties to the area, with family playing a vital role in the business. Though she is the owner, much of the culinary creativity comes from her mother, who has been the family’s chef since Schulz was born. Her mother crafted the entire menu and regularly helps during busy hours. The family support extends further—her aunt and uncle run a business in the same building, and other family members step in when needed. “It’s a true family operation with everyone playing a part,” Schulz said.

As a first-time business owner, Schulz wasn’t initially familiar with local business resources. However, once news of Isla Bistro’s opening spread, the Eastern Montgomery Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Montgomery County Commerce Department, reached out to offer support.

“They invited me to a few events as a guest,” Schulz said, highlighting how inspiring the women-focused gatherings were. These events helped her build meaningful connections — many of whom have become loyal customers. Schulz has also shared her story at networking events like the TNT group and actively promotes Isla Bistro through word-of-mouth.

“The ongoing encouragement from these community organizations has helped me feel truly welcomed and supported as I establish my business in Fort Washington,” she said.

Currently, Schulz is focused on building a strong local presence rooted in community, wellness, and hospitality. Her dream is to make Isla Bistro a neighborhood staple and “a place people are excited to visit every day.” Over the next couple of years, she aims to grow her team with individuals who share her passion and expand catering services for local businesses and events.

Looking even further ahead, Schulz envisions opening a second location in a busier area to reach more people, while preserving the warm, homegrown spirit of her Fort Washington café.

As the business grows, Schulz remains grounded in her mission: “I want people to feel good. I want them to feel energized. I don’t want them to feel heavy. And I want them to be able to just fuel their days.”

Isla Bistro is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM-3:00 PM. View the full menu or order online here.

For support and resources for new and growing businesses in Montgomery County, visit the Montgomery County Commerce Department. The Commerce Department offers networking events, business development programs, and community connections that have helped entrepreneurs and business owners like Schulz throughout the region.