Clara Fishel grew up in her family’s wholesale nut business in Omaha, Nebraska. She began working as a cook in high school, moving from Omaha to Oregon, then on to Israel, London, and San Francisco. She landed in Savannah, Georgia quite by accident, and at age 21, opened a restaurant in an historic, streamline moderne bus station.
 

In addition to her experience as a restaurateur, Clara worked as an environmental policy researcher, in sustainable brokerage for a green developer, and as a citizen liaison for the City of Savannah. She ran a monthly underground supper club with a friend and a brick-and-mortar bar with her sister. She has consulted on several food businesses over the years and helped kick start the local farmers’ market.
 

Ultimately, her experiences in small business ownership and sustainable development combined with a love of public policy and the built environment brought Clara to commercial real estate. Her CRE practice centers around Downtown Savannah’s Landmark Historic District where she works with owners and occupiers alike, specializing in investment properties, women owned businesses, and the food and beverage industry.
 

Clara has a degree in Community and Regional Development from the University of California, Davis. She is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP) and holds the Certified Commercial Investment Members (CCIM) designation. Clara serves on the board of the CCIM Georgia Chapter, and as board president of Re:Purpose Savannah, a local non-profit that documents, deconstructs, and salvages historic properties so that their architectural fabric may be reused and their stories preserved for future generations.