Who’s who in the Crew – Hill Street West Hobart 10th Birthday Edition
Hill Street West Hobart’s store on the corner of Hill and Arthur Streets is turning 10 and as part of the festivities we’re celebrating some of our longest serving team members at that store. Some of them go way back to the earliest days of Hill Street.
This week we chatted with Doug, one of the ‘OGs’ who started with the original West Hobart store at 109 Hill Street (now Smolt Kitchen) in the days before it was even called Hill Street!
Q: When did you start at Hill Street?
A: I started in 2001 at what was then called Rite-Way West Hobart and my role today is Produce Manager.
I have been at Hill Street West Hobart for all that time except six years when I took some time out to run my own business, a takeaway store in New Norfolk.
Doug from West Hobart
Q: What was the store like when you joined?
It was the old store at 109 Hill Street. It was a small store and it had a great buzz. It was crowded and you certainly couldn’t be claustrophobic to work there. I remember the store before the renovation in 2001 – it was L-shaped and very compact to say the least!
Q: What has been the biggest change?
A: The biggest change has been how we’ve expanded – in size, in how busy we are, and in the mix of people we have here. We have diverse customers from all backgrounds and our staff members are from so many different countries.
Q: What makes Hill Street West Hobart so special?
A: It’s family. It feels like family here. I actually enjoy waking up every day at 4.30 am and coming here!
Q: Who is your favourite team mate and why?
A: I really don’t have any favourites. I get on well with everybody!
Q: What’s Omiros really like to work with?
A: He reminds me of Marco [Niktaras, co-founder of Hill Street]. He’s dedicated. If he wouldn’t do it, he wouldn’t expect you do it – in other words, he leads by example.
Q: What was your most memorable day at Hill Street?
A: On my 50th birthday everyone got me a chocolate cake and surprised me with it and sang happy birthday to me in the shop. It was all secretly planned and they kept it hush-hush. I was very surprised.
Q: What keeps you coming back to work each day?
A: Every day you have different challenges, but I always enjoy coming to work. I have the work ethic my parents brought me up with. I just enjoy it – if I didn’t, I wouldn’t be here.
Q: What are you most proud of in your time at Hill Street?
A: I’m proud of the growth of the business and when the customers give great feedback. When they say “Wow!” when they walk in, you can give yourself a pat on the back.