Tanisha Cortez checks the evening tip inventory at the Village Inn in Johnston, Iowa. Tanisha applied to numerous local restaurants, but after her previous employer of 11 years—Old Chicago—closed its doors in January, she decided on the one that got back to her the soonest.
Emily Forrester, HR director of Workiva of four years, poses with her pug, Carter. Workiva, a cloud-based software company, has 10 domestic offices and six internationally, and freely allows dogs in its offices.
Elizabeth Kopecky, a manager at Hickory Park. Hickory Park is known for its vintage decor, friendly staff, and extensive sundae and dessert bar. "We can't afford to be picky when hiring—I don't even call anyone's references anymore. It's a dog-eat-dog world out there."
Tanisha Cortez answers a customer placing a pie order. One of two managers at the location, Tanisha's responsibilities range from managing inventory to bussing tables.
An antler-adorned fixture hangs over a table, one of many nostalgic pieces in Hickory Park.
Emily notes there's still difficulty in attracting young people long-term to the agricultural and college town of Ames, but [employees] are spoiled at Workiva with the variety of its facilities.
Though having to adjust from a taproom environment to a more casual, daytime atmosphere of a family-style breakfast chain, Tanisha looks forward to seeing her regulars, many of which are seniors who visit the diner up to twice a day.
Hickory Park serves over 20,000 lbs. of meat to an average of 16,000 guests a week. The restaurant was last renovated in 1997, now totaling 18,000 square feet—and seats almost 500 guests.
Cortez, an Iowa native, is married with two children, and feels her coworkers are another part of her family.
Cy, the mascot of Iowa State University in Ames, greets incoming Hickory guests while holding a platter of ice cream.
Hickory Park, employing around 250 total workers, hires regularly throughout the year—including part-time positions of servers, assistants, fountain/dessert workers , hosts, dish room workers, kitchen cooks, and caterers.