Today we’d like to introduce you to Peter Shea.
Hi Peter, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
The hospitality industry can be a tough business! When I met Abel Kaase (the owner) Covid had put us both through the wringer a bit. We shared a lot of common views, things that we liked to see in bars or restaurants, things that drove us nuts. We shared a lot of common values: exceptional, speedy hospitality, providing a safe and nurturing environment for both staff and guests, running items that met and exceeded our expectations.
I was coming off a stint as Bar Manager at Polite Provisions, and had the good fortune of being able to put together a really exceptional starting team of veteran bartenders.
We were lucky enough to have it take off from there!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been pretty smooth! We’ve been lucky! As mentioned before, running a business can leave you feeling like you’re repeatedly banging your head against a wall… We we’re fortunate enough to make some really great staffing and operational decisions from the get go. We’ve been blessed with a great reaction from the community and emotional commitment from all involved. This has resulted in a pretty low turnover rate of both bartenders and regulars.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’d like to think that I’ve built a reputation for outstanding hospitality. I was an educator and summer camp director in a past life, and before that I was a pretty weird kid…
So it’s always been of the upmost importance to me to make everyone feel welcome and included and understood.
Our number one non-negotiable rule amongst staff is to greet everyone who walks in with gusto and excitement.
Don’t be surprised if you walk in and have three people yelling “WELCOME!!!”
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I’m proud that we live in a city with such a rich tapestry of hospitality professionals from all over the country. There are pop-ups all over the city on a near daily basis, for just about anything you could want: from farmers markets to cocktail competitions to wine and tinned fish picnics.
Go out to events, eat, drink, meet people, engage in conversation, open yourself up to new ideas – there are a lot of them going around these days!
Pricing:
- Happy Hour, daily 4-5 – $7 cocktails
- Cocktails $14
- Burgers start at $11
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @originalswanbar
Image Credits
@madelinebarrphoto
Madeline Barr
