MILLERSPORT — He’s young and rising fast.
“As a kid I was always very social and involved,” recalled Nathan Riley. “Growing up I was very entrepreneurial and wanted to own a business like my father. I come from a very large Appalachian family that taught me the importance of community and having a strong work ethic.”
“In high school and college,” he added, “I sold shoes and clothing and worked as a pizza delivery driver, server, flower delivery guy, videographer for the local TV cable company, and even spent a summer working for my cousin's brick landscaping company.”
“I knew I loved the food industry when I first took a job as a pizza delivery guy at 16,” he noted. “The constant chaos, problem solving, and teamwork was so exhilarating for me. No two days are ever the same, and you’re always creating and revising a new plan each minute.”
Today, Riley is general manager at Hereinafter Cocktail Tavern , 3430 North Bank Road Northeast, in Millersport.
“Which means I do pretty much everything,” he explained. “We have a small staff so that forces me to wear many hats. On any given day I may be a server, a bartender, a host, and even help the kitchen wash a couple of dishes. We have a great team mentality and always live by the phrase, ‘Everybody’s table is everybody’s table,’ meaning we don’t typically have sections or assignments and want the guest to always be at the forefront of our minds.”
“The friendships and relationships you’re able to make with guests is what keeps me coming back,” he added. “It’s such a great feeling when you can turn getting a cocktail, an entree, or a snack into an experience. Service industry workers have the ability to be vital members of their community just due to their service of others.”
Riley, 24, grew up in Glouster, a village of around 3,000 in Athens County, graduated from Trimble High School in 2018, then Ohio University in 2022 with a degree in business administration.
“Hereinafter met me at a weird place in my life,” he said. “I had just graduated college the summer before and wasn't quite sure what post grad life would look like for me yet. I needed a job and lucked into finding the Hereinafter. I started about a month after opening and have been here ever since. From serving to bartending and now to general manager, I’ve loved helping this place grow.”
Ben Long is the owner of Hereinafter Cocktail Tavern.
“Nathan is a younger GM making a big difference here at Hereinafter,” assessed Long. “He’s gotten quite a following of regulars and does a great job for me. I think he has a long, successful career in the restaurant business ahead of him.”
“I’m really grateful and happy that I found Hereinafter,” Riley responded. “I’ve gained so much knowledge and experience in service as well as management and leadership.”
“Creating friendships and sharing laughs with guests is the best part of the job,” he concluded. “Knowing that people can trust me to make them good recommendations on cocktails, wine, and food, and trust me to take care of them on special occasions is a great feeling. It’s never really an easy job but always very rewarding.”
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Hereinafter's Riley rising star in restaurant business
Most Popular
Comments / 0