2008 Woodie Awards
RSSDeli, served with a smile
Edit Desk
By Robbie Aaron
Issue date: 10/5/07 Section: Opinion
Have you ever returned to a store or restaurant countless amounts of times because of the people who work there?
During 4 o'clocks, everyone, including myself, seems to become extremely overwrought, having countless anxiety attacks. Even when people don't have tests, teachers conveniently place the due-dates for major assignments right between a finance exam and marketing exam. There is no way of getting around it, 4 o'clock week drives people crazy.
On Tuesday, however, I had a great change of pace to my day. I had just finished class, one in which I handed in a fifteen page story, and decided to go to The Goose with one of my friends. I have always loved the sandwiches there, along with the smile and sarcastic harassment by owner Anthony "Tony" Silvoy with each order that is placed. On Tuesday, however, I saw an entirely different side to the scene.
Everyone knows Tony; there is no way getting around that. If you have ever been to The Goose in your life, you know exactly who I'm talking about. When you walk in, he can be heard before you even get to the Snapple machine. It's one of those things though that really makes the 10-to-15 minute prime-time line seem like a few seconds.
I have always been friends with Tony. He always asks me how everything in my life is going before he says, "what'll it be today." On Tuesday I saw him on a new level.
When I walked in, the line was out to the door, as usual. I grabbed my drink and just began watching him as he continuously sliced the meats, talking to every single customer that crept by.
Tony brightens every customer's day just a little bit. Whether it's for the ten seconds that he pesters the orderer asking what kind of cheese they want, or on a larger scale to the point where someone writes an editorial on him, (who would do that?) Tony makes it his obligation to first get the order exactly right, but more importantly make everyone feel like they are his favorite customer.
Tuesday was a special day for Tony. As my friend and I waited in line, one of the other employees announced that it was his birthday. You might expect people, those who know him, to wish him a happy birthday as they ordered, but believe it or not, the entire place, and it was as packed as I've ever seen it, erupted and started singing happy birthday.
What kind of effect does one person in a deli need to have on his or her customers for the entire place to sing together? It was remarkable.
As we approached the spot in line where it was our turn to order, I wished Tony a happy birthday, as my friend sarcastically asked, "how old are you? 25?" Tony immediately stopped slicing the pepper ham and rang a huge bell that was on the wall next to him that I never even knew existed. He shouted, "Ladies and gentleman free lunch for the lady! What a gal." Everyone started clapping and laughing, even the people behind the counter.
When we were about ten minutes into our lunch, another customer announced that it was Tony's birthday and that everyone should sing for him. We got to enjoy two different rounds of happy birthday during our half-hour stint. I can't think of any other store or restaurant where the customers come just as much for the convivial and gracious presence of someone working there as they do for the delicious food or merchandise.
During my little break between noon and 1 p.m., I was able to forget about everything. I didn't think about my exams or assignments once, something the exhilarating weekend of baseball couldn't even do for me. Those of you who know me are probably saying, "wow!" right now.
I never imagined a place to get lunch being a release from the stresses of the world because of one charismatic and caring guy.
The Goose has truly done something that I have never seen in a business to before. It has made a real connection to its customers. That's good for business, but it's great for students.
Robbie Aaron is a junior journalism and communications major. He is an assistant sports editor for The Brown and White.
During 4 o'clocks, everyone, including myself, seems to become extremely overwrought, having countless anxiety attacks. Even when people don't have tests, teachers conveniently place the due-dates for major assignments right between a finance exam and marketing exam. There is no way of getting around it, 4 o'clock week drives people crazy.
On Tuesday, however, I had a great change of pace to my day. I had just finished class, one in which I handed in a fifteen page story, and decided to go to The Goose with one of my friends. I have always loved the sandwiches there, along with the smile and sarcastic harassment by owner Anthony "Tony" Silvoy with each order that is placed. On Tuesday, however, I saw an entirely different side to the scene.
Everyone knows Tony; there is no way getting around that. If you have ever been to The Goose in your life, you know exactly who I'm talking about. When you walk in, he can be heard before you even get to the Snapple machine. It's one of those things though that really makes the 10-to-15 minute prime-time line seem like a few seconds.
I have always been friends with Tony. He always asks me how everything in my life is going before he says, "what'll it be today." On Tuesday I saw him on a new level.
When I walked in, the line was out to the door, as usual. I grabbed my drink and just began watching him as he continuously sliced the meats, talking to every single customer that crept by.
Tony brightens every customer's day just a little bit. Whether it's for the ten seconds that he pesters the orderer asking what kind of cheese they want, or on a larger scale to the point where someone writes an editorial on him, (who would do that?) Tony makes it his obligation to first get the order exactly right, but more importantly make everyone feel like they are his favorite customer.
Tuesday was a special day for Tony. As my friend and I waited in line, one of the other employees announced that it was his birthday. You might expect people, those who know him, to wish him a happy birthday as they ordered, but believe it or not, the entire place, and it was as packed as I've ever seen it, erupted and started singing happy birthday.
What kind of effect does one person in a deli need to have on his or her customers for the entire place to sing together? It was remarkable.
As we approached the spot in line where it was our turn to order, I wished Tony a happy birthday, as my friend sarcastically asked, "how old are you? 25?" Tony immediately stopped slicing the pepper ham and rang a huge bell that was on the wall next to him that I never even knew existed. He shouted, "Ladies and gentleman free lunch for the lady! What a gal." Everyone started clapping and laughing, even the people behind the counter.
When we were about ten minutes into our lunch, another customer announced that it was Tony's birthday and that everyone should sing for him. We got to enjoy two different rounds of happy birthday during our half-hour stint. I can't think of any other store or restaurant where the customers come just as much for the convivial and gracious presence of someone working there as they do for the delicious food or merchandise.
During my little break between noon and 1 p.m., I was able to forget about everything. I didn't think about my exams or assignments once, something the exhilarating weekend of baseball couldn't even do for me. Those of you who know me are probably saying, "wow!" right now.
I never imagined a place to get lunch being a release from the stresses of the world because of one charismatic and caring guy.
The Goose has truly done something that I have never seen in a business to before. It has made a real connection to its customers. That's good for business, but it's great for students.
Robbie Aaron is a junior journalism and communications major. He is an assistant sports editor for The Brown and White.
