Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy McMahan.
Amy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My Mom pushed me to excel academically and secure a good office job but I fell into restaurant kitchens during college breaks. Food is in my blood, my Mom used to cook for us so we knew where she came from, who she was. I have always loved how much food can say, across culture, politics, language.
So while I broke her heart by going into the sweat and chaos of a commercial kitchen, the immigrant work she was trying to save me from, my restaurant is really a tribute to her and my father, a white guy from Cincinnati, OH. The American food that we serve appeals to a wide swath of people: New England boiled dinner types, hipsters, people with allergies, people who grew up eating pho (like me)… the back of my mind, I always think, “My Mom would love this”.
Has it been a smooth road?
Owning and operating a restaurant is like running a marathon while playing Jenga. It’s insane. But, being good at something this hard is oddly satisfying, and odd satisfactions are what make life worthwhile.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We’ve been open for 15 years, and we got a loan, to open, from the largest bank in town, which is unheard of, because banks don’t lend money to start up restaurants. But, Greenfield is a special place and we are proud to have created an area of economic radiance in a struggling downtown and to enjoy the support and love of our community.
The best thing anyone has ever said to me is that I ruined Taco Bell for them. We’re proud to offer healthy fresh food in a way that appeals to a lot of people. For a lot of customers, we set the standard for what healthy eating is.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I think we are a good fit for Greenfield. I do think Greenfield could improve its business friendliness. There is an emphasis on enforcement: parking, building code, health code enforcement, and I think it makes it more difficult to do business than it should.
Contact Info:
- Address: 10 Fiske Ave.
- Website: www.mesaverdegreenfield.com
- Phone: 413-772-2531
- Email: mcmahan_amy@hotmail.com
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
