Customer makes me and The Sweet Banzini all choked up
In the midst of a stressful time, my virtual customer made my day.
The following was posted on the blog and on The Flying Banzini’s Facebook page (CLICK HERE for the original blog post)
Dave, I am the woman in the Loblaws parking lot with a baby strapped to her chest, two kids in the cart and about to lift a pallet of water bottles into the back of her van. You are the man who stopped to tell me a story about your son and his curiosity about why parents always seem ‘grumpy’ at the grocery store. Your story was enough to lift my spirits but then you went to your car and as you drove by you stopped, smiled and handed me a night out at your future restaurant. In short, you made my day. So much so that I have told everyone I know about you and your restaurant.
Then, I Google the restaurant and read your posts - Saskatoon! My home town! and your name sticks with me…why do I know this name? Well of course I grew up with you on C95 in the mornings. One of your posts is a reminder of one of the things that I cherish and miss the most about ToonTown…the impartial friendliness of strangers. You were a reminder to me of what I have forgotten to practice and the impact that it can have on one person’s day. Thank you for that gift …I have been paying it forward ever since! We look forward to dining with you and your Banzinis…
Thank you Natalie. Without knowing it, you lifted my spirits when they needed lifting.
Rae the Sweet Banzini commented, “This actually brought tears to my eyes. This is exactly what we are all about!”
And, Rae is right. The reason I am stepping into the restaurant business is not because I am a great cook or because I have a passion for porchetta (a good band name, by the way). No. It’s because I have a passion for sharing life’s grand adventure. I have a passion for the experience of dining. And, I delight in making people happy.
When I think of The Flying Banzini I don’t think of it as selling porchetta – money for food. No. I think of it as a much broader exchange. Customers give us their very precious time (and money) and we give them a whimsical, memorable, delicious experience built upon food. The trade is time and money in exchange for happiness.
I hope we get it right.
The “small world” aspect of giving a stranger dinner for two in a Kanata parking lot only to later discover this stranger to be someone who once listened to me on the radio in Saskatoon was pretty cool too.
Dave
P.S. The top photo was the day we started construction.
I absolutely love this story…it brought a tear to my eye as well . Thank you for sharing!
This is the spirit of Hintonburg expressed to people in Kanata. I am so glad you chose this ‘hood to embrace, ’cause we’ll love you back too!
Dave’s a very special guy and he’s missed here in #yxe. I can’t wait for a visit to his new digs. Way to go prairie boy!
Aww this brought a tear to my eye too! As a soon to be resident of Ottawa/former resident of Saskatoon (and a foodie myself)I CAN’T WAIT to visit the Banzini as soon as I get there (with my whole family - who my new wife and I will be joyfully reuniting with after a year of being a few provinces apart). I too grew up with Rambling Dave on C95, and have been following your Flying Banzini blog. Your explanation of why you chose to become a restaurateur is exactly the reason you were/still are cherished by the city of Saskatoon! Bonne chance with everything leading up to the grand opening Dave, and save us some porchetta for when we get there in September!
Dave, I am looking forward to following your journey to the grand opening. All the best in the final weeks! Natalie
Natalie - another drylander in the Big Capital! (I lived in Saskatoon for years, too, after growing up about three hours north of it). I look forward to the Flying Banzini opening, and I hope to run into you and more former Saskatonians (and Saskatchewanites) there!
What a great story. I hope we will have the opportunity to visit the Flying Banzini in the near future,and of course you too Rae!