Bird Dawg Cafe's counter gal earns Employee of the Month honor

The friendly gal behind the counter at Bird Dawg Cafe is the New Rockford Chamber's Employee of the Month for September. Ashley Thommes has worked at the fast casual restaurant along U.S. Hwy. 281 since April.

Thommes' career appears to have come full circle. Her first job was in the very same building, working for Dan and JoAnn Helfrich when they owned the restaurant. At that time, it was a Dairy Queen. Thommes said the Helfriches taught her what exceptional customer service was and practiced it every day. They also instilled in her the importance of keeping the restaurant in tip top shape. "If there's time to lean, there's time to clean," was one of Dan's lines. Their approach to business stuck with Thommes, who works hard to make sure every customer has a great experience.

Even though she wasn't born in North Dakota and has traveled extensively, Thommes considers New Rockford home. She spent her first 11 years in Mariposa, Calif., near Yosemite National Park, before she was adopted and moved to North Dakota. She lived on a farm west of New Rockford and attended junior high and high school at NRHS, graduating in 2003.

She went back to California after graduation, where she earned an associate's degree in construction management from San Joaquin Valley College. She has also lived in Florida and North Carolina, where she worked at Starbucks, Applebee's and Olive Garden. She also taught dance at a Florida business called 12th Street Tap. The company was hiring and said they were willing to train. "I faked it until I made it," Thommes laughed. "(Dance) is so much easier to teach than it is to learn." She taught ballroom, foxtrot, salsa, mamba and many other dances.

Pam Nemitz nominated Thommes for the award. Nemitz wrote, "Every time I am in the Bird Dawg, she is so friendly and courteous. When they are ultra-busy, she remains the same and doesn't seem to be stressed at all. She keeps your order straight and always serves you with a smile. She is a delight and a breath of fresh air."

Owner Brad Reisnour purchased the Bird Dawg Cafe in 2013, and this is the first time his business has been recognized.

"It's pretty nice to have (Ashley) recognized at my facility," Reisnour said. "She has been a good addition for us."

A popular spot for American fare from burgers and shakes to shrimp baskets and sundaes, Bird Dawg Cafe is quick and convenient. They are open seven days a week during the summer months. Now that fall is here, they are open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday thru Friday. The restaurant closes during the winter months, so residents and visitors who haven't stopped in recently are encouraged to try their delicious new steak sandwiches and have a treat.

Have you experienced great service at a local business? If so, tell the New Rockford Area Chamber of Commerce about it! Nomination forms and cards are available at the Transcript office, in the table tents at local businesses and online at cityofnewrockford.com/chamber. Nominations can also be emailed to [email protected].