This week we talked to Mandy, who works at our Belmont store.
Where did you grow up? What brought you to Portland?
I grew up in Kelso, WA. For college I went back east to Penn State and when I came back my mom had moved to Sandy, OR so that is where I relocated.
How long have you worked at Zupan’s and how long have you been in your specific position?
I’ve been here for 9 years now, with my last 5 months as the store PIC. I started at the West Linn store, then moved to Raleigh Hills and have been at Belmont for the past 3 years. My mom worked at Zupan’s, so when I moved back here after college I was hired for a summer position and I’ve been here ever since.
What Portland restaurant do you frequent the most?
To be honest, I hardly ever go out to eat. My husband (Jeremy Alcatraz, Assistant Director, Macadam) is a phenomenal cook. We shop at Zupan’s and have great meals at home. My favorite is probably a Rib-eye steak with mushroom risotto.
What do you think it takes to be good at your job?
First, you need to like food. Second, you need to know food. Third, you need to be good with people.
What do your days off look like?
I love to be lazy and relax in my sweatpants. I’ll workout, spend time with friends, referee the fighting between our fat cat and small dog. I also love to snowboard. Jeremy and I just spent a weekend in Lake Tahoe snowboarding.
What’s your favorite part of working at the Belmont Zupan’s?
I love the atmosphere that is around our neighborhood and our store. It’s comfortable. Everyone respects each other— employees and customers alike.
If you could jump on a plane tomorrow for a 2 week vacation, and money were no object, where would you go?
Tahiti. I want to be warm. I’d spend my days lying on the beach, not in my sweatpants of course!
Next time you stop into Belmont, find her and ask her about her days riding a 6-foot unicycle.
