10/03/2026
She's Spirit, Savvy, Sweet and Sassy: We're talking about Port Cape's own Taylor Park of course.
She shared why she loves serving up stress relief to regulars, visitors, and friends in Port's lounge.
Q: Why is Port Cape Special to you?
A: "The history, the river. Port has always had such a mysterious feel to it. So many lives have been lived there, not just by the people who have walked through the doors- but the building itself. I’m just happy to be a part of it."
Q: Favorite thing about the regulars?
A: "The regulars, or the -Regs- as I like to call them (along with 'darlings or baby angels') are part of what makes Port 'Port'. It just wouldn’t be the same without them. I just love them, they really have become my family. We celebrate birthdays, holidays and just life together. They also tolerate me showing them 1000s of pictures of the dog, so 'shout out to the Regs!'"
Q: Tell us about where you're from?
A: "I’m from a 'Not-So-Little-Town' Anymore in East Tennessee called Cleveland (Go Vols 🍊). We moved around a lot growing up while my parents bought and flipped houses until I finally settled in Cape Girardeau around 2009 - the year of the giant ice storm. I’ve been on and off with working at Port since then."
Q: Do you have a funny Port Cape story that's your favorite?
A: "There’s honestly so many funny stories from Port. But one of my favorites might be with a retired bartender of ours Stan Oakley. We were working a River City Players play upstairs that was a real heart jerker, and I already knew this...Stan, did not. It was real quiet upstairs, and the play was getting awfully sad. Stan is next to me in the dim bar light, with his long legs perched up- and in the silhouette of his face I see the biggest tear I’ve ever seen. 'Stan, are you crying?,' I whispered.. “NO!” He says smiling, wiping that big ole tear away. We laughed so hard- trying to be quiet at this emotional moment in the play...so he is still in my phone contacts as “Soft Serve Stan". A lot of funny stories I don’t know if I’m legally allowed to say here. 😊"
Q: What makes Doc fun to work for and Bill to work with?
A: "Doc is so fun to work with because the guy likes to have fun. At Port we always love a good time - if it’s an event downtown, the Blues festival, Sunday Funday with the bands...he just likes to get down. And, always lets me go over the top with the decorations, especially for Halloween when the bar gets a spooky makeover from ya spooky girl here.
And, Bill couldn’t be a better coworker turned best friend. (Awh.) We don’t get to work together too often behind the bar, but when we do it’s a giggle fest. Bill and I always said we could read each others minds with just a look- which is probably for the best some things aren’t said out loud. We even have a choreographed dance behind the bar. ♥️
To finish this up, just a shout out to Doc and Bill. Those two have some of the biggest hearts, and flex it all the time. Love you both, and love my Port Cape family. Thanks for being my home away from home."
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