Catching up

[Murfreesboro]

Oh, wow, what a blast from the pasr. My husband and I both remember Coke dispensers like that.

[Andybev01]

You could always fill it with Pepsi?

[TheHeadlessHorseman]

The first week at the diner went well. Obviously, with the snowstorm the day before, Mon. was very slow and it was a similar scenario where only a few employees showed up, but it gave me a chance to get to know them better. I installed the new security system and cameras, and I made sure that everything else was running fine, and I learned how to use some of that new equipment that I mentioned before. I also ran background checks on every single employee, and they seem like a good group of people. Of course, I will find out what type of people they really are as I spend more time with them.

There was one big change that I made, and that was regarding their tipping policy. They were previously splitting tips equally among the employees, that means that if somebody leaves a $5 tip for a specific server they only get a percentage of that tip that was intended to be for them, and they have to split it with everybody else that was on the same shift that day. I know that most places today force that policy on their employees in the name of fairness and equality, but I think it's BULLSH*T.

At my restaurant, I've always made sure that my employees get the full tip that was left specifically for them. If a customer comes into the restaurant and decides to tip one of the servers $100 because they are pleased with that specific server, then why should they have to split that tip with everybody else? The other employees didn't earn that tip, that specific server did by their interaction with the customer, and they are entitled to the full tip that was intended for them. So I implemented the new tipping policy at the diner, and as soon as I announced it I immediately saw looks of relief and smiles all around from the employees, some of them even thanked me for doing that.

On Fri. I told my mother and younger sister that I was bringing them out for lunch, so we arrived at the diner and we sat at one of the booths. I made sure to tell the employees in advance that I was going to bring my mother by, and that they should just pretend that we're customers. We ordered our lunch and talked for about 30 mins. then I asked them what they thought about the diner, my mother had been there before and she said that she loves it because it reminds her of her youth. To my surprise, my sister hadn't been there before, but she thought it was a great place. Then I told them that I was the new owner, at first they both thought that I was joking, I told them that I was serious, my sister jumped up and yelled out... for f*cking real? I said yes, and she screamed and hugged me, and said ... that is so f*cking awesome! Yeah, she swears even more than me.

My mother still didn't believe me, and she looked at me and asked me one more time if I was joking, I held her hands and I told her that I own the place for real, no joke. She stood up and hugged me, and as usual, she started to cry, she's a very emotional person, and she cries when she's happy. The staff started clapping and cheering, and I introduced them to my mother and sister, and then I showed them around the diner.

I went over to the jukebox and put on my mother's favorite Elvis song ... Love Me Tender, and then I walked her to the dance floor, and we slow danced. Of course, she cried again, but she also smiled. She was born in 1955, and the song came out in 1956, her father used to play it to get her to sleep, and he did that for the first few years of her life, so it was like a lullaby to her. He would also dance with her while the song played, so she has very fond memories of that song. I only wish that my grandfather could have been there for that moment, but I know that he was watching.

My mother was with us for a few hours and she didn't even realize that it was my birthday, my sister wanted to remind her, but I told her not to say anything. I had some beautiful moments with my mother that day, and even though she didn't remember what day it was, it was very special for me.

My wife knows that I don't want any presents or fuss about my birthday, but she did have my favorite cake waiting for me, and I enjoyed it with her and the kids, and then we played video games, and that's exactly how I wanted to spend my evening.

When I went back to the diner on Sat. some of the employees told me that they thought that what I did for my mother was very sweet, and one of them said ... I think I'm going to like working for you.

Well, I'd say that was a decent start with the diner.

The restaurant staff did exceptionally well without me there for a week. I mean, they have already done that before when I was on vacation, but it's nice to know that they are always reliable in any situation.

Oh yeah, regarding the Coke vending machine, when my mother saw it she immediately smiled and told us how she remembers that particular model being used until the late 60s in some places.

Also, I found out that it's easy to find original bottles with caps for the machine, and it would be easy enough to fill them with fresh Coke that was made this year, one issue would be finding a way to seal the bottles with the original caps, though I'm sure that there's probably a video on youtube that could show you how to do it. Another issue would be that I obviously can't charge 10 cents for each bottle because it would basically be giving it away free, even then I would have to make sure that the customers leave the bottles there when they are done, and then we would have to wash them over and over again for sanitary reasons ... yeah, it's probably better to just leave the machine as a display piece.

Man, I'm hungry.

[Andybev01]

So i'm not a big fan of snow and ice , or any bad weather , so I am enjoying this absurdly out of season winter... season.

It's 60° today and the forecast is for more of the same this week.

[Murfreesboro]

HH, what a great surprise for your mom and sister! I know you enjoyed the heck out of that. And it sounds like your employees are beginning to realize that they've lucked out with their new boss!

Andy, those pics are gorgeous! Our temps weren't too bad today--highs in the mid 40s, lows in the low 30s. My indoor/outdoor kitty thinks it's spring and hasn't even shown up to eat today. Two nights ago he was sleeping on top of me in bed.

[TheHeadlessHorseman]

Most of the new employees have been great. I brought Melissa over from the restaurant, she's the employee that I told you about that wanted to work at the diner because she loves it. She's already been telling the other employees at the diner good things about my wife and I, and how we run our businesses, and I can tell that some of them have been more comfortable around me since she got here. By the way, I didn't tell her to say anything good about us, that was her choice, we have always treated her well, as we do with each of our employees, and I guess that she has actually appreciated it.

[Murfreesboro]

Aww, that's so nice. A good work environment means everything.