08/28/2026
There’s a lot going on in this photo that hits home and it took a rainy day to see it.
Being in the restaurant business since I was 12 years old (40 years), you see a lot. From addicts of drugs, alcohol, gambling & s*x, you know things can turn south at any moment and have seen businesses crumble from it.
After smoking my first joint (and loved it) at age 14 with the chef of the restaurant I was working at, I could have crumbled right there. I made it a purpose that I would never touch any other drug and that stayed true to that. I had some amazing drinking nights but was always in control. Yes, I have the same stories that we all have but I was true to myself and the business I represented.
Fast forward years ahead and I had a friend’s face bashed in by a bat from drugs, I unfortunately had an employee at one point that we buried from drugs and have seen a lot of high school acquaintances pass away.
I don’t know what it’s like nor will I ever but there’s a family at Rooney’s who does know from their past and seeing these people rebound from their demons means more to me than they know.
We as a restaurant have a very clean staff and we don’t allow drinking after shifts or even days off at the restaurant. This goes a very long way and so does representing Mike’s Archangels Center for the day, but more important, me posting this so anyone out there can see, you’re not alone and there’s a chance of recovery.
