Sal started his first business Rubino’s Restaurant in February 1988 and added a second location in 1991. Sal sold the Rubino’s Restaurant business in 1996 and started three new businesses within the next 12 months. These include becoming licensed as a Realtor and working with Houston International as a Commercial Real Estate Agent focusing on the restaurant segment. Sal also created a local television show called “Out to Eat” which allowed viewers a window into local restaurants around Kentuckiana. Sal produced and aired 10 episodes (one season), on WLKY-Channel 32 on Saturday mornings at 11:00 AM. 

In September 1996 together with his wife Cindy, Sal opened The Café at The Louisville Antique Mall at 900 Goss Avenue. The two operated and grew The Café from the meager 12 seat establishment to more than 150 seats by 2005.  That year Sal purchased two parcels at the corner of Brent and Vine Streets, just one block south of Broadway and one block west of Barrett Avenue and renovated the buildings. He and Cindy moved The Café to that location in 2007. 

In June of 1997 Sal formed a partnership with then Head Men’s Basketball Coach of The Kentucky Wildcats, Rick Pitino to create Pitino Foods, which marketed and sold Italian Specialty Food items through local supermarkets including Kroger and Winn-Dixie. Sal continued to operate and grow that food business until September 11, 2001, when circumstances beyond his control brought an end to that business.

In September of 1998 Sal moved his license to Century 21 Joe Guy Hagan where he switched his emphasis to the residential market. Sal worked his way up to be the number 2 producing agent in the office before taking a break from Real Estate in 2008, so that he could help his wife with The Café at 712 Brent Street which was growing exponentially at the time. The Rubinos sold The Café in July 2019, which has now allowed Sal to pursue his love of Real Estate.

Sal has experience in both commercial and residential Real Estate and he stands ready to serve both Sellers and Buyers. Sal is also an experienced Real Estate Developer, remodeler and property owner who has owned and currently owns Commercial and Residential properties, including restaurants and long term and short term residential rental units.