Students from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Bainbridge’s Stafford School of Business visited two establishments in the city’s downtown district, gaining a hands-on perspective to what they have been studying in class.
The students are part of Tatyana Pashnyak’s Service Management and Operations Management classes and wanted to focus on businesses that were the result of large renovation projects. They selected Susie and Sam’s Steakhouse and The Old Post Office.
Sam and Susan Higdon transformed a historic building in the downtown area into a popular steakhouse. The couple previously worked for cruise lines and owned other restaurants, including the popular Marie Livingston’s in Tallahassee. Students toured the steakhouse and watched as the couple worked in tandem to provide a first-class experience for their customers.
“The students learned the importance of knowing food industry standards and margins and basing decisions on solid data,” Pashnyak said. “It’s important to be aware of all aspects of business operations and make timely adjustments to avoid preventable issues. “
The couple divides their duties as Susie handles front-end operations at the restaurant, including greeting customers and making sure each one is enjoying the experience. Sam oversees the kitchen and together, they strive to provide an excellent dining atmosphere no matter what obstacles arise.
“Sam is always coaching his employees, helping them grow professionally and personally,” Pashnyak said. “The students really learned several service management concepts, from how to positively influence everything from the moment a guest steps into the restaurant throughout the meal. They saw why Susie and Sam’s gets nearly perfect reviews and has guests flocking from surrounding counties.”
The Old Post Office was opened recently by John Noel, who restored the building with mahogany wood, soaring wood columns, sparkling chandeliers, and even spy holes used by the old postmaster. Manager Christy McCoy runs the daily operations which currently include a host of drink selections but with plans for catered food options and event space.
Noel shared with the students his passion for restoring historic properties and improving them with creative details, including energy-efficient technologies such as lighting, which are important in operations management. Also, he shared the story of his financial journey, including purchasing the building, identifying historic property credits, and securing loans so he could use the building’s equity.
“Hearing his story left lasting impressions on the students,” Pashnyak said. “He was candid about his passion for helping others pursue their dreams and he graciously offered to mentor any students who were interested.”
McCoy led a tour including some areas which are still under renovation. Features such as old vaults, hidden passageways, and peep holes fascinated the students. The manager provided insight on the unpredictable challenges of restoring historic properties.
“After spending the first half of the semester learning service management and operations management concepts, the students enjoyed seeing it all come to life,” Pashnyak added. “We appreciate these businesses being so hospitable. Both field trips were a resounding success.”
