I meet Trey at the Hoboken location of Bellyful, the bistro he now co-owns with his wife, Serenity Payne. The café is vibrant and full of energy, yet retains the charm of a small, well-loved eatery. Exposed brick lines one wall, and a wide window lets in the late summer light, casting a warm glow over the polished wooden tables. Behind the counter, patrons can watch the cooks at work, shouting orders back and forth with the cashiers at the register. Outside, there are tables for those who want to enjoy their meal in the fresh air, while inside, the scent of jerk chicken, patties, and freshly baked pastries fills the room. The name Bellyful is spelled out in elegant script on the front window, a testament to the brand they’ve built from the ground up.
“This place feels like my first kid, to be honest,” Trey admits, glancing around the bistro. “I’ve worked in business acquisition, buying companies with my partner, but to actually run one? That’s a whole different story. I’m blessed to see all aspects of running a business. My wife’s incredible. She was doing all this on her own before, and now we get to do it together.”
Among conversations about food and business, we dive into marriage, family, and the future with Serenity.
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