Fort Thomas city officials honored and thanked business owner and resident Susan Stewart, who is retiring from the city’s Renaissance Board and moving to Texas. Mayor Eric Haas opened the city’s November council meeting by presenting the owner of Colonel De’s Gourmet Herbs and Spices (later Colonel De’s Kitchen and Catering) with a plaque in appreciation of her service to the community.
“Susan has been part of this community as a volunteer and a business owner and a friend of the city in the community helping out with various functions for years,” Haas said.
He noted that Stewart, along with her husband Colonel De Stewart, expanded their Cincinnati business to Fort Thomas in 2016. She joined the city’s Renaissance Board in 2021.
“[Stewart] was very helpful assisting with Flea in the Fort, Independence Day, Farmer’s Market, Holiday Walk, you name it,” Haas said. “She’s always offered a hand, always been very gracious to do anything in the city. And it is volunteers like this that make Fort Thomas so great.
“We have this little plaque for you, and it says ‘Susan Stewart, the greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members, City of Fort Thomas Renaissance Board 2023.’”
Stewart and her husband started their family spice business selling at farmer’s markets. They opened their first store in Findlay Market in 2006, quickly becoming a Cincinnati favorite. She continued the business with her son and family even after her husband’s death in 2018.
Several council members echoed the mayor’s appreciation.