Each year, the Southgate Coins employees and owners gather together outside of work to celebrate the Christmas holiday. For 2012, we branched out and tried a new Christmas dinner restaurant, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, in honor of our newest team member, Emily (introduced below).
Without fail, our gathering occurred on the coldest, snowiest day of 2012—Saturday, December 22. Although the preceding days and weeks had been cold, we had not had a snow front come in until that morning. It snowed throughout the day, and covered the valley with white powder. It certainly made for an interesting drive to our destination, between the slush on the streets and the masses of holiday shoppers racing to the mall. I (Maya) was the only employee not scheduled to work at the store on Saturday, so I made sure to arrive at the Macaroni Grill early to reserve our table while the others caravanned the less-than-a-block distance to the restaurant.
Romano’s Macaroni Grill features an Italian stonework-themed dining area, complete with roaring fireplaces and traditional Italian music in the air. When Rusty, Marie, Nicole, and Emily arrived at the restaurant, we were all guided to our table in the back dining room, which was nicely secluded in the corner. Our waiter, Saul, announced the specials as we each took our seat.
Now, our newest team member, Emily, will share reflections of her first company event with Southgate Coins.
Thanks, Maya. The other girls had told me about company dinners and special events, but I had never experienced one until Saturday night. After being seated at our table, we started the night off using crayons to decorate our “paper” tablecloth with a multitude of pictures ranging from pigs to snowmen. While exercising our artistic abilities, we overheard a man seated at a table near us serenading his family members with an Italian ballad. As his audience began to clap along, so did we!
After the live performance ended, it was time to order. We all had pepperoni pizza for an appetizer, and then ordered a variety of Italian favorites for dinner, which proved to be exceptional and very filling! Just when we thought our stomachs were too full for another bite, our waiter Saul brought out the dessert menu, reminding us that we still had enough room for dessert. Nicole, Maya, and I (Emily) shared a delicious Lemon Passion Cake, while Rusty and Marie ordered a Homemade Chocolate Cake to go. Amid the coloring, music, food, and countless jokes made throughout the night is my first impression of a company dinner and just how much fun they are.
Now here’s is Nicole to tell you how our wonderful evening concluded.
Romano’s Macaroni Grill—their service and especially their mouthwatering food—really impressed me. But with every great meal, there are always fun memories and laughter that go along with them. Lately, somehow at every dinner we enjoy together, a smartphone is pulled out as we take fun in browsing the internet for pictures of upcoming actors and actresses in movies we’ve recently seen, or even famous historic ones that Rusty tells us about. This time we all enjoyed a good chuckle as I showed Rusty and Marie who Alex Pettyfer was, and that he was the epitome of what I think a man should look like, haha (albeit his rumored bad attitude).
Company dinners are only one of the many perks we receive at Southgate Coins (although one of our favorites), but we are spoiled here throughout the year. This Christmas we received many goodies from close friends and customers, showering us with See’s Candies, Lindt chocolate truffles, heart-warming cards, and we could never forget about the generous Christmas bonuses from Rusty and Marie. I (Nicole) even received a big-hearted graduation gift from a close friend of the store that completely took me off-guard.
We may work hard here at Southgate Coins, and this season has been one of the busiest that I can remember, but with all the benefits of working here, along with the bond we share with each other, it is truly unlike any other place I’ve ever worked, and I’m very thankful for it all.
Thank you Rusty and Marie for a memorable end-of-the-year dinner, and for your endless generosity toward us.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!
Maya, Emily, and Nicole