amy h.

Amy H. | Partner

spool

Service Industry Detour

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Amy bought into spool (open since 2007 by Kelly Ann Allen) late last year. Amy and Kelly, both mothers, split their time in the store and their buying duties, "combining their powers" to make one really good business. Amy is a vintage junkie, scouring estate sales for that side of the business while Kelly looks after the boutique side. Spool is flanked by independent, strong, women-owned businesses (Peggy Noland, Peregrine Honig), which Amy finds "really inspirational." Y.J's, a local coffeeshop and hangout lends to the conversation and community on their little street. Amy is a vocal proponent of investing in Kansas City for its growth. "You can make your neighborhood anything you want it to be. Get off your butt."

  Make KC Better » Reinvest in the community instead of fleeing 

 to neighborhoods you think are "safer." 

josh s.

Josh S. | Server/Bartender et al.

Californos

Years of Industry Service: 9

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Josh's service industry career began as a cook at Pizza Shoppe. Now he's a daytime bartender/server at Californos, but he's not a strictly back-of-the-house or front-of-the-house person. His jobs are varied and he goes where he's needed, whether that's in the kitchen or at the table. Josh is also a drummer for Auternus, a structured, instrumental ambient rock band (not a jam band, although he gets asked that often). "Live music is such a challenge. Everyone wants to hear what's already been written, but musicians don't want to play that." With his long hair, tattoos and awesome grizzly beard, you'd think Josh was an outdoorsman. But you'd be very, very wrong. Josh says, "I like air conditioning and electricity. A LOT."

  Make KC Better » I wish Westport wasn't so dangerous at night. 

bronson k.

Bronson K. | Bartender

Westport Cafe & Bar / R Bar

Years of Industry Service: 3

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Bronson is a musician (keyboardist, piano player, singer) but he's also an excellent bartender who likes his job. "I wouldn't call this my career choice. It started as a way to make money but I really enjoy it. I don't really see it as work." Bronson is part of a surging cocktail culture in Kansas City, always learning, experimenting, and discussing the finer points of how to make the perfect drink. And he wants to share his appreciation of finely-crafted cocktails with his customers. "You don't have to get drunk on vodka and Red Bull. Anyway I can thrust the city in that direction, I will."

  Make KC Better » A good start would be getting bike lanes to make it easier for those of us who pedal ourselves everywhere in warmer months. 

jason h.

Jason H. | Server

La Bodega

Years of Industry Service: 10

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Jason, who is studying for a degree in music therapy, plays the piano and is a recent transport to the West Side. He walks to work on most days, especially on snowy, wintry days when it's challenging to navigate up and down the hills around Summit street. Having worked for both corporate and locally-owned restaurants, Jason said his experiences have shown him that local businesses have a sense of community and "you get to know your customers better." He frequents neighborhood bars Rhythm & Booze and The West Side Local, both because they're local and for their proximity. He does not like standing in crowded buses.

  Make KC Better » Definitely some main form of public 

 transportation that actually connects the city. 

stephanie g.

Stephanie G. | Server

La Bodega

Years of Industry Service: 8

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With a degree in environmental studies, Stephanie says, "I have a ton of dream jobs." She definitely wants out of the ups and downs of the service industry to become a part of changing environmental policy for Kansas City. Health-conscious Stephanie enjoys working out and would like to see an increase in pedestrian and cycling traffic. The staff favorite after work? Brodioke at the The Drop on Tuesdays.

  Make KC Better » I would push the entire metropolitan together. 

 We're too segmented. 

ryan s.

Ryan S. | Managing Partner

Cellar Rat

Years of Industry Service: 23

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Married with children (with one on the way), Ryan says the service industry is "bittersweet" because a lot of his friends now own/run restaurants and bars, but he doesn't really get out anymore. At sixteen, Ryan started bussing tables. He has served, bartended, been a sales rep at a liquor distributor, managed a restaurant and now he owns and runs a specialty wine and liquor store in the Crossroads District where he tastes about 20 wines a day as part of his "job." Sign us up! Born on a Cinco de Mayo with an Irish first name, Ryan wants an authentic Italian name for his newest child, due any day now. Congrats to your family Ryan! You can read more about Ryan here or google him.

UPDATE: Ryan had a baby girl so now he's in a household surrounded by the ladies. Umm...good luck with that. 

  Make KC Better » The school system. It's a huge issue, we gotta fix it. 

dan w.

Dan W. | General Manager

Cafe Europa

Years of Industry Service: 20, more or less

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Dan started in the service industry to make extra money, but like a certain wine rep we know, he actually studied art in college. Asked if he still makes art, Dan said, "not so much." He's a busy family man now with two young children and a demanding career. Dan and his wife split the parenting but it's not often they see their children at the same time. Before he came to Cafe Europa, Dan managed at a much larger restaurant, Lidia's in the Freight House District. "The easy assumption is that it (Cafe Europa) is easier because it's smaller." But the staff is also a lot smaller and there is a lot more to do. On the upside, the intimate aspect of a small restaurant means he now has a more immediate interaction with the guests.

  Make KC Better » More family-friendly activities for parents 

 with young children in the core of the city. 

bryce b.

Bryce B. | Manager

Aixois

Years of Industry Service: 3.5

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Bryce is a rock climbing, guitar and banjo playing guy who likes being active and outdoors. He lived in New Mexico and likes the lifestyle which he wishes he could have here. Sorry Bryce, no can do. With our extreme and volatile weather patterns and flat landscape, it is indeed wishful thinking. While we spoke with Bryce, there is one thing we couldn't help noticing. He always had one eye on his coffee bar and more importantly, his customers. He launched out of his seat when he saw a cab come by for an older customer. Then, he quickly got up when he saw a regular stroll up and said, "I'll be right there to make your Americano." Always, he was half-turned and all the way tuned in to what was going on inside. As a customer, who wouldn't appreciate someone with that kind of laser-focused attention? Bryce exemplifies customer service at its finest.

  Make KC Better » I would bring the mountains to Kansas City. 

mark g.

Mark G. | Bartender/Server

Cafe Europa

Years of Industry Service: 1.5

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Compared to Mark's previous life as a patient care tech, the service industry has been "a walk in the park." He doesn't know if he will be serving/bartending forever, but regardless of what he chooses to do, "I don't want my job to be my life. As long as the bills are paid, I don't need much more than that." Traveling for Mark is more about visiting people rather than actual places as he feels in the U.S., one town is much like the next with all the Wal-Marts, Starbucks and strip malls.  

On a complete side track and personal note,  I think Mark is my "way of life" twin. Everything he said, I answered, me too! I know what you mean! Except for riding bikes, we could be twins.

  Make KC Better » Put bike lanes in. 

kanchana

Kanchana | Server

Thai Place

Years of Industry Service: 5

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Kanchana has a marketing degree and is still looking for a career in that field, but in the meantime she works at Thai Place with co-workers who have become her family and friends. "My good friends work here. We party together and go out to eat. It feels like family." She likes Kansas City because it's easy to get around and there's no traffic but wishes there were more festivals to attract visitors and make it more fun.

  Make KC Better » More opportunities and government support for small businesses. 

christina b.

Christina B. | Server

Aixois

Years of Industry Service: 7

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After a disappointing start on one of our "shoot" days, we walked into Aixois, a little wary of whether more rejection was coming our way. Instead we were met with Christina's beautiful smile and cheerful greeting and we knew our day would turn around. Christina studied fine art and continues with her art career through drawing and painting. She said a lot of neighborhood locals come into the restaurant, several of whom come in multiple times throughout the day and order the same things. There's a lot to be said for ritual and the comfort of being able to get what you want consistently, isn't there? Aixois is "a really nice place to work with a tight-knit group of people. And they feed us," Christina said. Food is the best reason to work in our opinion!

  Make KC Better » Public transportation and more local businesses. 

 That's what really gives Kansas City its flavor. 

luke s.

Luke S. | Barista

The Roasterie Café

Years of Industry Service: Not that long

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Young Luke Coffeemaker's foray into the service industry began through the world of fast food. Then he took a giant leap in the opposite direction to Whole Foods. Going from dirty kitchens to the super clean environment of a natural and organic grocer, was like "two completely different worlds," he said. For Luke, slinging coffee is just a way to survive right now. He respects the high standards and quality of local coffee company, The Roasterie, and enjoys his job but he's only 20-years-old. And with youth, there's a certain unknown, optimistic wonder about what the future holds. He does want a future in photography, however, as he likes to observe people. You can visit his site here.

  Make KC Better » Better public transportation that connects both states (KS + MO). 

out of service

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Due to unforeseen circumstances, we regret to inform you

that we are closing up shop at The Employee Lounge.

It was sweet while it lasted. Thank you all for

the support and we hope to come back soon.

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FOOLED?! We didn't think so.
But Tina really enjoys a good prank
and Linh follows blindly while giggling.
Have a Happy April Fool's Day and
a wonderful First Friday weekend!

jarrod f.

Jarrod F. | Logistics Manager

Cellar & Loft

Years of Industry Service: 8

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Formerly a bartender who often worked late nights, Jarrod has had to make some adjustments now that he's on the retail side of the wine business. Especially his hours. He still gets to interact with customers but it's more casual and he gets to educate. If you can't tell by his head of shiny, brown curls and the big easy laugh on his face, Jarrod is one of the most loveable, friendly guys you will ever meet. Just ask his girlfriend of three years, Blair, a Glazer's liquor rep, who he loves, loves, loves. We tease him mercilessly about when he's getting married but he takes our taunting in stride and says, "Don't worry, you'll get an invite to the wedding." And then it's baby watch time.

  Make KC Better » More disc golf courses and brew pubs.  

jesse m.

Jesse M. | Server

The Farmhouse

Years of Industry Service: 11

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As an artist, Jesse has found serving a reliable source of steady income, "The service industry has always been a good friend to the arts," she said. Jesse is currently in school for a degree in graphic design and a relative newbie to The Farmhouse, where she only started at  a few weeks ago. "There is a lot of positive energy with good food and good people here. It's nice to be around people who are fun and excited about what they do."

  Make KC Better » Stronger ties between local businesses

 and community as well as support for the arts.