Who: Audrey and Izzy When: Early May Where: Baxter Bakery (BB2) What: Talking about hiring new staff for the summer Rating/Warnings: Low/None Status: Complete
Izzy had to admit she was glad Easter was over, it was always a super busy time for both bakeries and getting back to normal was very welcome. Audrey was stopping by today so they could look over their staffing list, they’d need to do a little bit of an employment drive since they were losing some of their part timers soon when school ended and they left the area. It wasn’t ever too much of an issue over summer as there were always people looking for a summer job and then come fall the new university starters would arrive and some of them would want work. Having some big schools in the area definitely helped when it came to staff.
Making sure she had all the books and paperwork ready she then headed out to the front to wait for Audrey to arrive.
The office space at BB1 wasn’t anywhere near as nice as the office space at BB2. Audrey loved coming to spend time at Izzy’s office, since it was larger, brighter, and often cleaner than her own. When they chose and remodeled the space at BB2, they were able to be picky and lay things out the way they wanted them. Not so much at the first location.
So it was a joy to come to the second Bakery. Audrey stopped to smell the flowers in the planter boxes on the way in. Then she grinned as employees and customers alike turned to smile and wave to her. “Hi!” She said, catching sight of Izzy. “This place is like Cheers. Everybody knows my name!”
Izzy couldn’t deny she loved the office too, it made it not so bad to spend long periods of time in there when it was bright and airy.
Laughing Izzy moved to hug her friend and boss, “Well you are Baxter’s Queen, it makes sense. Everybody loves you” she said without a hint of falseness, it was the honest truth. Audrey had managed to build up a brilliant reputation and for Izzy it was important that Baxter’s 2 not tarnish it. She was very hot on that in the training of their staff.
Audrey returned the hug gratefully. It was amazing that she’d created such a great family at Baxter Bakery. What would she do without Izzy? They worked together like vanilla and sugar. Audrey withdrew a little. “Aww, well, I love everybody right back, so it works out well for all of us!” She grinned brightly, her nose crinkling with her smile. “You ready to get to work? Hopefully we can get this all taken care of quickly, then have a brownie!”
Izzy nodded, “I have everything prepared in the office so hopefully it will be fairly quick” she told the older woman, before leading the way. It was part of the community almost family atmosphere which had drawn Izzy to Baxter’s in the first place and then when Audrey had been so supportive in helping Izzy get her baking qualifications she knew this was where she was meant to be. “I’ve got the advert we used last year and thought we could just change it up a little”
“Yeah, definitely. I think it needs updating!” Audrey followed Izzy back to her office, saying hello to employees along the way, and shut the door behind them. “So, how many are you losing this year? I’ve got four who are taking the summer off or heading home. I’ll have to fill those slots somehow.” Audrey settled into the chair opposite Izzy’s desk with a sigh.
“I think it does” she agreed, moving to sit down too, and pulling out the list she’d already made, “I have two taking the summer to go home and then returning after that but I also have two who are finishing school and won’t be coming back at all. And I have one who has expressed an interest in learning more about baking professionally” she handed the paper to Audrey so she could see the names and notes she’d made.
“Oh, that’s wonderful!” Audrey brightened considerably at that last sentiment, and leaned forward to accept the notes. She glanced down at the paper and nodded. “Yes, this looks about right. I mean, about the same as what I’ve got going on at BB1.” She passed the paper back. “So, you’ve got notes? From our last advertising?”
“I thought so too” Izzy said, after all it was how she’d started out. She’d shown an interest and Audrey had helped it to blossom into the passion she had now. Izzy would be forever grateful to the other woman. “Oh yes” she opened a file marked advertising and pulled the previous flyers they’d done and a sheet of notes on improvements she and Audrey had discussed at the time, “Overall it worked well so mostly it’s updating the information”
“It looks really good,” Audrey said, accepting the flyers they’d used before, and the notes. She remembered taking these notes last year, and nodded. Then she grabbed a pen to make a couple other changes. “I think we should emphasize that we have part-time and full-time slots available,” she said. “Maybe by underlining this part?”
Izzy nodded, “Yeah definitely and the flexible shifts too. That might appeal to some especially if they’re looking to continue once they start back at school”
“I like the idea that we’re a job people can have part-time while they’re going to school or working somewhere else. I know things are hard for everyone, and the extra income is especially appreciated. And I know that our accountant doesn’t charge by the check, so we don’t have to worry about limiting the number of employees we have.” Audrey said. She passed the paper back over to Izzy. “Do you want to update this in your computer, and print some copies? We’ll hang them in the shop lobby.”
“I do too. And I mean we’re popular with students already so we know we’ll get conscientious workers because it’s somewhere their friends come to” Izzy nodded in agreement, “Yeah definitely, I can do that” she said as she moved her mouse to wake up her computer.
Audrey nodded as she watched Izzy wake up her computer. “That’s a good point. We make the place have a home atmosphere, so people want to keep it clean and neat. Like it’s their home away from home. Not just the employees, but the customers, too.” It was more family than a lot of places.
“Exactly” Izzy said, “It’s amazing the sense of community and family you’ve managed to build here Audrey, especially with the world in the state it is a the moment. I think it’s a little bit of reassurance for everybody, knowing there’s always a place they’ll be welcome and feel safe”
Audrey grinned a proud grin. She loved that she’d brought so many people together. It was a nice community, she thought. Full of lovely people. “That’s exactly what I aimed for. I’m glad to know it’s working. But you know it wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for incredible people who live in Orange County.”
“We are pretty lucky aren’t we? Even with the crazy stuff that happens everybody always pulls together and our customers are friendly and loyal” Izzy said, “It’s what I imagine a proper community should be like” And it was nice to be a part of it.
Audrey nodded, in complete agreement. She was lucky to have Izzy, lucky to have the bakery. Things were pretty good.