Founder’s Day 2016
What is Founder’s Day?
The Marcus Corporation was founded by Ben Marcus on November 1, 1935 with the purchase of the first Marcus Theatre in Ripon, Wisconsin. Since then, the Marcus Corporation has become a leader in the entertainment and lodging industry, expanding to hotels, restaurants, and multiple theatres across the United States.
To honor this anniversary, The Marcus Corporation recognizes Founder’s Day every year, where corporate employees can work a partial shift at one of the Marcus hotels, theatres, or restaurants. This year on November 3rd, four Graydient Creatives decided to participate, and here’s what we learned on our day out in the field!
Danae Schultz, Social Media Manager
Location: The SafeHouse, Milwaukee
Why did you choose this location?
Last year I spent Founder’s Day at the Marcus Saukville Theatre. I wanted to do something different, and also wanted to challenge myself a bit. I used to be a barista for almost 3 years, so I thought bartending would be a fun shift to try. They’re kinda the same thing, right?
What were your responsibilities during your shift?
I helped Agent Killjoy with prepping the bar and sanitizing all of the bottle pourers, but he mostly showed me the ropes on how to bartend. I learned how to pour beer properly from the tap, and how some of SafeHouse’s signature drinks are made. But my bartending training wasn’t just making drinks, it was ALL THE THINGS: opening/closing tabs, how to navigate with other people behind the bar (so nothing spills) how long it takes to learn everything (six months) and the importance of adding showmanship and flair to the job. I could tell Agent Killjoy cared a lot about how his bar was run and his skills as a bartender, and related to a lot of the situations he described, having experienced similar ones as a barista.
What’s something interesting you took away from the experience?
So many things! For one, I got to see a part of SafeHouse I’ve never seen before. (But a spy never reveals her secrets.) I also really enjoyed getting to pick my agent name! I picked Agent Spidey, because I was wearing my favorite Spiderman necklace. Plus, I’m a huge comic book nerd and Spiderman was the very first superhero I *obsessed* over.
Just being able to learn about how a bar operates, how prices and drinks are entered, how to make drinks, and observe the flow of it all (seriously: it’s an art form) was the most interesting thing. Overall, I learned A LOT of stuff about being a bartender in general. It actually made me miss being a barista, and it was a refreshing atmosphere to be in as opposed to sitting at my desk all day long.
Leslie Berkley, Lead Web Designer
Location: Kil@Wat, Milwaukee
Why did you choose this location?
I really enjoy cooking at home and was curious to see what it would be like in a restaurant kitchen. Just being around food for half a day sounded like a win to me!
What were your responsibilities during your shift?
I started out my shift by packing potato chips into boxed lunch containers. Following that, I cut up 40 pounds of red potatoes that were going to be used for mashed potatoes. Then I breaded a tray of mashed potatoes that were going to be deep friend and made into croquettes. After that, I helped the pastry chef arrange little containers onto trays that were going to be filled with panna cotta for a charity event over the weekend.
What’s something interesting you took away from the experience?
The staff was super friendly—obviously a very fun group of people much like our team! I found it interesting that the kitchen was also used for prepping banquet food. I think I was just expecting it to be for Kil@wat.
Danielle Henry, Content & Communications Captain
Location: The SafeHouse, Milwaukee
Why did you choose this location?
In all honesty, the free t-shirt won me over. Who doesn’t want a sweet SafeHouse shirt?! But I also love the intrigue and mystery that surrounds the SafeHouse and was super excited at the chance to learn more from the experts!
What were your responsibilities during your shift?
During my shift, I hung out with Ms. Moneypenny and learned more about what it means to be the matron gatekeeper of the SafeHouse. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you TOO much, as a spy never reveals their secrets, but I did help greet folks and cheer on those who didn’t know the password.
What’s something interesting you took away from the experience?
It was interesting to me how many people DIDN’T know the password (or maybe they just PRETENDED they didn’t). I really loved seeing the people who had a good time with it – after all, that’s part of the magic that is the SafeHouse! Being Milwaukee born and raised, having this extra special intel is a certain rite of passage that until now I have clearly taken for granted.
Sami Weber-Schrank, Graphic & Web Designer
Location: Kil@Wat, Milwaukee
Why did you choose this location?
I chose Kil@wat because I have never worked in the food industry before and was interested in learning what happens “behind the scenes” in the kitchen of a restaurant. I also enjoy cooking as a hobby, so I thought it would be a fun experience.
What were your responsibilities during your shift?
During my shift, I got to work along side the prep cooks. My responsibilities included chopping potatoes for their weekend brunch and packing lunch boxes for an event that was going on over the weekend.
What’s something interesting you took away from the experience?
What I took away from this experience is how much the employees work on their feet and are always moving and preparing things for the current day, as well as upcoming days. I had no idea that—not only do they make food for the restaurant—but they are also in charge of catering food for any banquets, meetings, weddings and other events that go on in the hotel. Overall it was a really great experience!
