BY TREVOR KEISER
Clarkston News Staff Writer
Taking over your own business at age 24 is a lot of work and responsibility to employees and customers.
‘But I love it, I love every minute of it,? said Joseph O’Hearn, Clarkston High School graduate and new owner of Mel’s Grill 2 in the Gateway Plaza off White Lake Road. ‘It’s the hardest job I have ever worked, but the most rewarding at the same time.?
O’Hearn has worked in restaurants since age 13, including Mel’s Grill. He took over the restaurant July 23.
‘I worked the kitchen for six years and I enjoyed it. And I enjoyed the owners I worked for.?
He said he bugged the owners for years to sell him the place. O’Hearn said he wasn’t sure how he would make it happen or come up with the money, but knew he would try his hardest to make is all work.
‘I wanted the next challenge,? He said.
O’Hearn said he has the greatest staff.
‘I love my staff. I would not have even considered buying this place without the staff that it had,? said O’Hearn. ‘Very little turnaround, I have worked with these people for years they’re like family to me which takes away a lot of the tension that could be there with a new owner.?
The restaurant is known for its special ‘southern omelet.? An omelet including toast and hash browns ranges from $5 to $7.
It brings in all types of people from ‘construction workers to high execs.? One of the highlights of the job is sitting down and talking with all the different people who come in.
‘You can learn a lot from other people’s life experience,? he said.
O’Hearn said he thinks one of the reasons people come in is because they are well taken care of by both the waitresses and cooks.
‘They are more than just customers to us,? he said. ‘I don’t want anybody leaving here feeling unsatisfied with their meal or their service, I don’t want anybody feeling cheated.?
O’Hearn is also a 2006 graduate of Oakland University where he received his BA in Psychology.
He said people ask him why he isn’t using his degree, but it’s used everyday in conversation with customers.
O’Hearn said he pushes for making customers feel appreciated.
‘The feeling of special appreciation means a lot to people,? he said. ‘They could spend their $5 for breakfast anywhere and eggs are eggs if they’re cooked right, so you got to come in here for more than just eggs. That’s what we try to do.?
O’Hearn said he feels he knows what people want, he knows what he wants when he goes out to eat.
‘If they sit their with their cup empty, it doesn’t matter if the food was good, the service was good, it was clean, it was fair price. It doesn’t matter,? said O’Hearn. ‘It’s the little things that will make or break a meal.?
O’Hearn also noted that being young and single has its advantages.
‘I don’t have a family. I can put all my time into this and not have to worry about family commitments, I have the time and the energy,? he said.
Mel’s Grill will also be serving dinner Thurs-Sat. Mel’s Grill 2 is open from 6 a.m.-3 p.m. Mon-Wed.; 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Thurs-Fri.; and 7 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sat.