CLEVELAND -- A local businesswoman said U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, D-Ohio, was her biggest champion, her mentor and an inspiration who helped her achieve the American dream.

The 20-20 Martini Café and Lounge on the west bank of the Flats opened in February, a place where patrons can get good food and drinks and enjoy entertainment in an upscale environment.

Rebecca Brooks and Al Hunt are both managers at the club.

"She's always supported us, comes in on a regular basis," said Brooks, about Tubbs Jones.

The congresswoman was instrumental in helping owners Twyla Garrett and Eddie Hart open the facility.

"We needed her support in helping us with a liquor license to getting the city to actually recognize we were coming in," said Garrett.

Hart said, "She didn't know me and Twyla, she took us under her wing and looked at us as someone she wanted to groom and nurture."

Tubbs Jones helped with almost every aspect to get the lounge up and running. In fact, Tubbs Jones' son, Mervyn, is the club's bar manager.

Garrett grew up in Cleveland, just like Tubbs Jones, and the business is one way Garrett wants to give back to the community, just like her mentor.

"From a young entrepreneur standpoint, I admire everything she did and I'm going to try my damndest to walk in that light," said Garrett.

Garrett and Hart achieved the dream of owning their own business with the congresswoman's help, a place where her legacy and spirit will live on.

"We just lost our champion, our sponsor and a great friend," Garrett said.