hospitality spotlight ---newk's eatery

Those who know me know that I am a tea fanatic!   I would rather have a good glass of tea than the best steak money can buy.   I tend to frequent my favorite tea places often!  Often meaning sometimes daily or I have been known to go twice daily!   If you follow me on Instagram you will see a photo of my tea glass from Newk's often.

What better way to celebrate National Tea Month is spotlighting some of the best folks that I know that are hospitable, courteous and genuinely care about folks.

My favorite place to get ice tea isNewk's Eatery at 314 S University Ave in Little Rock @ Midtown.  There tea is always fresh, never sour and is the perfect blend.   The cups are large enough that when I take it back to work with me it isn't gone in five minutes!

I often pop my head through the back entrance daily to get just my tea.   It is worth the 15 minute drive at lunch just for this tea!   That's 15 minutes each way with traffic.   The employees there are some of the most friendliest group of people I have met.   They don't care that I am just coming for tea.  These guys treat me as if I just ordered food for 100.  In fact, they wave and say "You here for your tea"?

I wanted to spotlight three of the guys who stand out and speak the most. I sat down with these three guys to get to know more about them as individuals.

​The best part about Newk's is that you really don't know who is the GM over a Manager or a Customer Service Employee.   While they may wear different color shirts, you don't see Title Tags on their clothing.   When speaking to all three of the guys, they all agreed that Newk's Eatery is a family-friendly employer.   They get off major holiday's to enjoy some relaxation and free time to focus on their hobbies, families, etc.

Meet Corey Irwin.  Corey is the General Manager.  He has been with Newk's for five years.  Originally from Nebraska, he was raised in Hot Springs, Arkansas.  He's 41 and single and loves woodworking.  Corey is well liked as a GM and you can tell by speaking and watching him ​with  other employees, he cares for each one of them.  Corey's hard work pays off with this Restaurant.  The Restaurant's quality is consistent, clean and customer service is top-notch!  He is always busy helping customers, answering the phone, making food or just about anything that needs to be done.  Great job Corey!

Meet Mark Bowers.  Mark is the Assistant Manager and has been with this Newk's Restaurant since it opened six years ago.   Mark hands me my tea glass the most!  I walk in and don't have to say one word.  He has the glass out and ready.   It doesn't matter if it is early in the morning, or later in the day, that cup is out and waiting for me!   Mark is 41 and single as well!   Mark loves the outdoors and enjoys hiking, camping.  He likes all genres of music!  Great Job Mark!
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Meet Justin Shutes.  This picture of Justin says it all.   All smiles all the time!  Justin is so friendly and always asks how I am doing today!   "Justin makes sure the dining room is kept perfect" says Corey Irwin, GM.   He didn't have to tell me that.  I spot Justin every time I am at the Newk's.  If I happen to have time to sit down for lunch, he always comes up and makes sure I have everything.   Justin knows that I love my tea and those bread-n-butter pickles!   Justin is 31 and has been with Newk's for a little over two years.  He says spending time with his 10-year old daughter is his favorite thing to do.  They enjoy playing games and just hanging out.  He loves old school R & B music!  The best part about working at Newk's "is the atmosphere is family friendly and it feels like home!"   Great job Justin!

All three of these guys were very humbled when I told them I wanted to feature them for the Hospitality Spotlight.   Thank you all for being top-notch!

P.S. Ladies if you are in the surrounding Little Rock area you might out to stop in this location!  
xoxo - Pat
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