Melissa Brown
General Manager

My experience so far with the Bistro group has been quite unique and
very personally rewarding. I started with the company 4 years ago and had
just moved back to W.V. from St. Thomas, USVI. I called Mike Baker on the
phone inquiring about a bartending job and got in a lengthy conversation
with him about my experiences and education. He immediately asked me if I
was interested in management. At this point I just wanted a break from
being the boss. After I met Mike Baker and spoke with him in person my
thoughts started to change. After some persuasion from Mike, Willis and
Kamran I started to see what a great company they worked for and this could
possibly be a great fit.
I started two weeks before opening day and immediately was
overwhelmed with the closeness of the upper management with the store level
managers. I had previously been with Red Lobster for 7 years and couldn't
tell you what anyone other than my D.O. looked like. Four weeks after I
started I found out I was pregnant. What a suprise! I was scared to death
I would either lose my job or have no chance of advancement. Willis was so
supportive and every higher management person made me feel comfortable.
Woody and Don Lee offered for me to do the micros computer upgrades for 10
weeks and this gave me the opportunity to meet so many people in this
company. It was a great experience and broadened my knowledge of the
company.
I was promoted to A.G.M. one year from my hire date and G.M. 8
months later. It was a very fast move for me and very rewarding. I
absolutely love working in Cross Lanes. I have the best staff and I still
have a lot of the original employees which makes it like one big happy,
disfunctional family. We have a large number of regular guests who make our
restaurant their gathering place. It's nice to meet and personally get to
know so many people in the community.
I have recently gotten married and am now pregnant with my second
child. I am comfortable knowing that this company is not discriminatory in
any way. One of the reasons I am so comfortable is the family values that
are instilled in every aspect of my job. This company truly cares about
your quality of life and they realize that a good balance between family and
work makes for a happy and productive employee. I truly have never had a
negative thing to say about the Bistro Group. I tell everyone that asks,
about how well I am treated and what a great balance I have in my life since
being with this company.

Melissa Brown
General Manager
Store#1511, Cross Lanes, W.V.