Business Spotlight: Café Creekside
This Business Spotlight is part of a series of posts highlighting Small Business Week (Sept. 12-18, 2021) in Gahanna!
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Since 2006, Café Creekside (53 Granville St.) has arisen as a premier family-run, cornerstone business at the intersection of Mill and Granville streets in Gahanna. As a gateway business into the infamous Creekside district, chef and owner Chris Katanyuta takes seriously the impact of an old-fashioned diner upon a steadily growing and increasingly modernizing community.
“As the owner of Café Creekside, my job is to get to know the families of our customers and employees. Our local brand and strong reputation at the Gahanna Lincoln High School has resulted in Café Creekside being regarded as one of the top workplaces for young adults. This is all a testament to our workplace culture and old-fashioned values,” shared Chris.
The 11-member crew is also led by Chris’ daughter, Anna Katanyuta. The mother-daughter team shared that while their workforce pipeline is reinforced through employee referrals from the Gahanna Lincoln High School, employee retention is predicated upon treating young employees like adults.
“Giving young employees ownership and responsibility over their tasks really helps them build character and gives them the skills to provide service in a sincere way for each customer,” explained Chris.
The family-like workplace culture at Café Creekside is a proven technique that has resulted in high levels of workforce retention. For instance, Chris described how she even works with the family members of her employees to provide additional accountability and professional development. This comprehensive, yet aggressive, approach has been embraced by employees and their families.
“I get along with the management and owner really well,” shared Brandon A. “They treat me the way they expect me to treat others. They treat me like an adult. I really like that, and they are always looking out for everybody. They cook us meals, and it really shows how much they care about us.”
“I had been coming here for years with my family before I started working here. Café Creekside commemorates loyal customers who have passed away by affixing a special plaque on a dining chair. My dad passed away, and there is a memorial table for him along with a chair with a special plaque. I’m so grateful to the staff here. It’s really all love and smiles. And my two sisters and future brother-in-law also all work here, so it truly is a family,” said Victoria N.
Café Creekside is currently hiring an experienced breakfast flat-top grill cook. Interested? Apply through the Café Creekside’s Facebook page or stop in and ask for an application.
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