Last Days at Besaw's

My name is Stephen Lisk and until recently I was employed at Besaw's restaurant in Northwest Portland, Oregon. As many of you know, on May 29th, 2015 Besaw's served its last meal and the doors to this iconic yellow building were closed to the wonderful community that we had long served. Many articles about how and why this happened will be written, causes will be taken, rebellion has been whispered, litigation has been taken, jobs were lost and hearts have been broken. Yet, this essay's inspiration is gratitude. 

From the moment Cana Flug (Besaw's owner) announced the restaurants plans to close, an indescribable grace seemed to envelope the entire staff. I received the news with uncharacteristic calm. Cana chose her words carefully, and through tears she spoke to us with purpose and pride. There was no mention of the C.E. John Company by name and there was not a hint of malice. We had been given 30 days to vacate the premises. We would work right until the 29th of May, leaving us only two days to clean and remove our belongings. This task would be conducted by a very eccentric and emotional staff, all of whom carried with them a potpourri of emotions. Obviously, this was not easy for anyone.

The following is my experience of Besaw's final days:  

The first night after the announcement, I planned on working as I had on any other night. I had known for some time our days were numbered, so I felt I had prepared myself. WRONG! I felt odd. I figured I just needed something to eat. So I grabbed some of our rosemary frites, but I just couldn't shake that funny feeling. 

I had stayed up late the night prior with Josie, a fellow server and close friend. We had a good cry while sharing funny stories about Besaw’s as well as remembering all of the former employees that just weren’t Besaw’s material.  What was it that comprised a Besaw’s employee? First of all you couldn’t take yourself too seriously because your co-workers weren’t going to. You needed a great sense of humor, because we would find out what got under your skin and we would crawl beneath your skin repeatedly, until you found yourself laughing at yourself.  Being a team player was crucial. However, it went far beyond that. You had to be a family member (this is where the tears well up). That was the Besaw’s requisite. We were a family, a family with flaws, favorites, unique tendencies, secrets and strengths. We were an enduring group of individuals that had a big influence on each other’s lives. I’m convinced that was the reason why the community supported us for so long and many of you visited us with such frequency. It is why I never considered my employment as “work.”  

Now I return to why I felt out of sorts my first night working after the announcement, I was heartbroken. It was that simple. I loved Besaw's. I loved working at Besaw's, and most of all I loved everyone with whom I worked at Besaw's, and I was grieving that it was all coming to an end. George Besaw's helped establish this landmark in 1903. It would be passed on to his descendants, eventually being entrusted to Cana Flug and our beautiful family of misfits. I have worked for corporate restaurants in the past, but I never felt like I fit in. Sure, I could make it work but I never experienced the loyalty and commitment that surrounded me at Besaw's.

The community's response to our closing was one of the most beautiful experiences in my life. Countless customers returned to the restaurant to express their gratitude. Some of them brought us breakfast on the final two days of clean up. There were also many who rolled up their sleeves and helped with the clean up itself. It was a beautiful departure. That is why I am so disappointed to read about this David verses Goliath battle in the press. I do not want Besaw's 112 year legacy to be tarnished by litigation and legalese. I can accept change even if I am disappointed in the manor of execution. But I will not sit quietly while the real reason for community unrest is not addressed. The Nob Hill community of Northwest Portland lost one of its favorite restaurants and the extended family within the small confines of its signature yellow walls. It is that simple. On its own, the yellow walls never attracted one patron, the yellow walls never represented the neon Besaw's name that adorned it, the yellow walls merely housed the heart and soul of its charm, the people who worked there. I, along with my fellow employees, worked hard to earn our customers' respect and resounding loyalty, not the yellow walls. The C.E. John Company can keep the yellow walls, paint the yellow walls and fill the yellow walls with your own heart and soul. Just please allow us to keep the Besaw's name that symbolizes the connection and service to the community that we all worked so hard to earn and preserve.

With humility and respect,

Stephen Lisk

WWeek 2015