Perhaps it’s the reputation Gem’s has for offering great bagels that first draws you in. Bay Avenue
Or maybe It’s because there are so few places to enjoy breakfast in Highlands these days.
It doesn’t make any difference. What matters is you realize once you step inside the Bay Avenue eatery and bakery shop, you’re going to have a happier start to your day, no matter what you have going on.
With a crowd waiting patiently to place their order, or have their order prepared on a recent Sunday morning, it was pleasant to see there was quiet conversation among strangers, there was patience and understanding as folks simply waited in line, looked over the arrays of pastries, rolls and bagels on the glass covered shelves or commented on the great cream cheese and salad varieties available in all sizes.
Once at the counter, it’s a young, vibrant, polite and courteous employee who takes your order, always with a smile, always with a pleasant word to say. You get to see the rest of the staff busy at their stations, preparing, wrapping, cleaning, all with assigned jobs, all organized, all simply making it work.
But it’s the sign on the counter that makes you realize Gem’s is really a new business in Highlands that wants to be sure the public knows it’s there to stay. And its aim is to keep people happy.
The sign first of all is a thank you to the folks for coming in and welcoming Gems to Highlands. It’s Donna’s way of telling everyone how happy she is to be opening her second shop, like the one she already owns in Keansburg, and her brother’s half dozen others in Campbell’s Junction and beyond.
But the sign goes on to apologize! The owner is apologizing to the public explaining that the staff is new and they’re still being trained!
Can you imagine? With all the happiness, great food, spotless tables and broad variety of great things to eat for breakfast and lunch, all the very well-organized hard work of so many employees, the owner still wants to apologize because everything isn’t precisely perfect every minute of the workday?
It’s time to stop in Gem’s for breakfast, lunch, or take home of a bag of goodies. Smile back at that young person behind the counter, and thank Donna for being so concerned over whether she’s playing a role in making your day a little happier.
