Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Prescott.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in Hopkinton, a small town 40 minutes outside of Boston. Growing up, we had six stoplights, no drive-thrus and the only reason people maybe knew about us was that we are the start of the Boston Marathon. Both of my parents, grandparents, many aunts, uncles and 13 cousins graduated from Hopkinton High. Being from a very close, big family in a small town was special, but what was also unique was that many of us worked at our local diner.
Starting at 14, I began working alongside my aunt, grandmother, brother and many cousins every weekend at The Golden Spoon. We never owned it but the restaurant became part of our family. Visiting the restaurant was never just about getting a meal, it was a community center for those in town where you saw the same faces for decades.
Being part of this experience at a young age was special. I learned the value of hard work, interpersonal skills and an understanding of how restaurants work. It took me three years of studying physical therapy at the University of Massachusetts to realize that I loved the restaurant industry. Throughout my time in college I always found myself coming back to The Golden Spoon. It was home. This is why when the owner at the time decided to close down and sell the land, I approached him about opening in a brand new building across the street. At 23, I partnered up with my previous boss to start this new venture, and we renamed the restaurant to the commonly referred to moniker – The Spoon.
I designed the restaurant from the ground up and was able to re-open the restaurant 14 months after closing the old location. I now run an extremely busy breakfast/lunch establishment in the town that I love. In our first year of being open I also designed and built out an ice cream shop called The Spoonery. Located in the same plaza as The Spoon, The Spoonery is an energetic, fun place for members of the community to enjoy ice cream.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I think anyone in the restaurant industry would say the road can have its fair share of bumps along the way. Restaurants are fickle, challenging and very tiring, but those are some of the reasons I love this industry. For me, the hardest part has been learning everything as I go. By the time we re-opened I had almost a decade of
but it was localized to one specific portion of the industry – the front of the house. I was very comfortable serving, greeting guests, and working my way through a fast-paced dinner rush.
However, there were so many aspects to running a business that I had never dealt with. Dealing with the local government, suppliers or managing the books was a daunting task. It always seemed like it was double the work, learning how to do it, then completing the task. The first major challenge was designing the restaurant from the ground up. After countless hours of research I met with plumbers, architects and electricians. At 23, I felt like I was too young to be making these decisions, but with enough experience in the industry I was able to create the final product.
The other biggest struggle I have on a day to day basis is knowing that I am responsible for everyone that works for me. Their livelihood and happiness in their work environment stems from me. Being so young, that pressure is sometimes overwhelming but I also love the challenge. In the restaurant industry, I am a firm believer that the happier the people are working in the restaurant, the happier the guests will be, and I try to create that atmosphere everyday.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Spoon – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Hopkinton has always been considered a small town, however, in the past 5-10 years Hopkinton has grown and changed a lot. It was big news when the first chain grocery store, Price Chopper, was built and many new housing and apartment complexes have been added. The Spoon, is one of the few breakfast places left around our area. Besides offering great food such as benedicts, breakfast burritos or our grilled cornbread we are known for our atmosphere.
We maintain that small town charm that keeps families in town for decades and draws new residents to the town all of the time. When you come into The Spoon you are seeing the same faces that have served this community for generations. Members of this community have watched me grow up through high school, leaving for college and ultimately returning home to re-open The Spoon. In turn, I have watched couples get married, have their first child then their second, third and sometimes fourth kids. It is a privilege that, from The Spoon, I get to be so rooted in this amazing community.
It feels like home when you are at The Spoon, because it is home for us. I work alongside my mom, aunt (who has been with the company for 37 years) and my cousins who work in both the front and back of house. You can still find my grandmother, who served at The Spoon for 35 years before retiring, rolling silverware on a busy day or my grandfather stopping in multiple time throughout the day to check on how we are doing. Two of my cousins who serve at The Spoon have started families in town so at any point there could be four generations of my family running around the restaurant.
The many years of experience and trust my family members have in each other carries over to all of the other employees. I am most proud of how well everyone is able to work together to provide the best service to our guests. We strive to make everyone feel as rooted in this community as we are.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We intend to grow and develop alongside our rapidly changing community. At the same time we do not want to lose sight of the traditions and values that makes The Spoon a wonderful place to work and dine at. We look forward to continuously meeting new people and developing those relationships.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1 Lumber St Hopkinton, MA 01748
- Website: thespoondiners.com
- Phone: 774.803.7125
- Email: hopkintonspoon@gmail.com
- Instagram: thespoondiner
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thespoondiner/
Image Credit:
Samantha Prescott
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