File:286 365 - December 30, 2009 (Y2) (4229466910).jpg

I was looking for a way to get my favourite place that I had worked into this 30 Events thing, and this is as close as I can get. All I have left from Hometown is a couple of my old shirts, and I couldn't find any other stuff I had from the place. During the time I worked there, photography wasn't in my mind. I wish I would have though, there's a lot of good times that should have been documented.

Back in '03, after I was fired from Arby's for the last time, I was really depressed and didn't think I could get another job working in a restaurant. My neighbors, at the time, suggested that I try Hometown Pizza because they both have (had) worked there, and they told me that the company was awesome to have as an employer. I still was iffy on the whole idea, mainly because I didn't want to have to bring up the previous issue I had with Arby's.

After a few more prompts from them, I caved in and drove up to the LaGrange store (the first one opened in the company) and filled out an application for just a cook. Somehow, as I was turning in the application, it was mentioned that I was a manager for Arby's. I don't remember exactly when, but I was called in for an interview, but not for as a cook, but a shift manager. I, of course, had to explain the issue with my last employer, and it was the hardest thing I could have done throughout the whole thing. It didn't seem to really bother either one of the interviewers (One would be the best DM I ever had, and the other, the best GM I ever had), as far as I could tell. I left feeling really good about it, and waited by the phone for a call.

Another few days passed, and I ran into my neighbor who asked if I had been called back from them. After saying "No", she told me to hold on for a minute, and left to call whoever was in charge of hiring me. About a minute later, she came back out of her apartment and told me that I would be getting a call that night, and was sure that I was going to get the job. She was right, and a few days later, I would be going into training at the Crestwood store.

I had never worked full service before in my whole restaurant career, and a little nervous. I had heard from other people who had worked in both full service and fast food saying that it was a huge difference as far as restaurants were concerned. Within the first couple of days, I was in love. There were rushes, and things that were similar compared to Arby's service, but there was also a huge relaxed feel. Customers seemed to treat you a little different also.

Over the next few years, I worked at five different restaurants within the company, all with wonderful people. I met some of the greatest people from both sides of the counter. Plus, even though each company has it's flaws, Hometown was just an awesome employer to work for. I did make a lot of mistakes along the way, but they trusted me enough to help learn from those mistakes to grow into a better employee, and even more, a better manager.

I wish I could go into some of my memories about the times I worked there, but there just isn't enough space. The main thing that I loved about working at Hometown was that helped me love working in the restaurant business again, in all aspects.