09/29/2026
That was, without a doubt, our longest weekend yet.
Never thought Iād be saying Thank goodness itās Monday!
The weekdays almost trick us into thinking we have this thing figured out. The hours are shorter, we get a little breathing room, we catch up, regroup, prep and think, āOkayā¦ we got this.ā
And then the weekend comes.
From the minute those doors open, you flood us. Both dining rooms fill up, the bar fills up, outside fills up, tickets start hanging, dishes start stacking, somebody needs something in every direction and suddenly those nice little weekday hours feel like they happened three years ago.
I have spent more time in a kitchen this last month than I probably have in my entire life. And Iāll just say it ā I donāt even like being in the kitchen.
Growing up, we hardly ever ate at home. If we did, it was usually something my mom brought home from Cozy. Cooking was never really part of my life, and as an adult Iāve learned it doesnāt exactly bring me joy either. Mostly it just brings me dishes.
But here I am.
And one of the hardest parts has been feeling like Iām bailing on my front-of-the-house crew every shift. Thatās where Iām comfortable. Thatās where I want to be ā behind the bar, bouncing around the rooms, talking to people, checking tables and seeing all the familiar faces. Instead, lately I find myself tucking away in the back trying to help wherever another set of hands is needed. Where our biggest priority is
And I know it wonāt always be this way.
Everybody keeps reminding me of that, and I can see it too. Weāre learning. Weāre getting faster. Weāre figuring out what needs to be prepped, where we need more hands, what works and what doesnāt. Every single weekend teaches us something new.
Honestly, this first month has reminded me so much of the newborn stage with my kids: the days are SO long, but somehow the weeks are so short.
So Iām trying really hard to embrace all the good in the middle of the chaos ā because there is seriously so much of it.
I look around at a staff that is absolutely exhausted, but theyāre still laughing. Theyāre still having fun. Theyāre still showing up and helping each other. Iāve made it pretty clear from day one that I donāt want anyone here who genuinely doesnāt want to be here. Nobody is being forced to clock in at Big Nikās. I want people who want to be part of what weāre building, even when building it is messy.
And then there are you guys.
I walk up to a table and tell you weāre running over an hour on food and brace myself for the reactionā¦ and instead so many of you say, āThatās okay!ā You grab another drink, head outside, walk around, sit by the water, let the kids play and enjoy this crazy little destination weāre trying to create.
I cannot tell you how much that means to me.
Iāll say it again and again - A repeat customer is the highest compliment there is. Itās the ultimate goal. At least for me..
They say āyou canāt please everyoneā
I say - We can definitely try
Ticket times will come - Drinks will flow fasterā¦ Until then, Iāll do everything I can to make sure what finally lands in front of you is worth the wait ā and hopefully you have a little fun while youāre waiting.
Doing so much of this myself has been hard. Really hard. But I also know someday Iāll be thankful that I learned every inch of this building and every part of this business from the ground up.
Between Big Nikās, kids, rental properties deciding they also need my undivided attention, and everything else that comes with being a humanā¦ by Sunday, burnt out was an understatement.
And then Iād walk out front.
Iād see a familiar face. Someone would stop me just to tell me they loved something. A staff member would bring me a little goodie because they knew I hadnāt eaten. Iād hear everyone laughing at the bar or look outside and see families hanging out by the water.
And there it is again.
The reminder of why Iām doing all of this.
Weāre tired. Weāre learning. Weāre definitely still a little crazy. But weāre getting better every single week.
And somehow, in the middle of all of it, I can see what Big Nikās is becoming.
That makes even the really long days worth it.
Thank you for continuing to fill these chairs, give us grace, laugh with us through the chaos and let us figure this thing out right in front of you.
Another weekend down. And somehowā¦ here we go again. ā¤ļø
