Today we’d like to introduce you to Chanel and Cody Renkosik.
Chanel and Cody, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Seven years ago, our lives looked much different. We both just graduated college (EI-EI-EIU!), gotten married, and were working full-time jobs in careers we knew we didn’t want to do forever. Cody went to school for business management and had dreams to own his own business, and I was teaching but always had worked part-time in the restaurant industry—expediter, hostess, server, bartender, and manager. We decided to jump in feet first and open our own restaurant. We spent months doing research and development, meetings with our local Chamber, and took into consideration what our community was looking for in a new local dining experience. In July 2013, Burger and Sushi House was born. Partway through our fifth year open, we’ve called two locations B.A.S.H.’s home, expanded our family by hundreds of employees, and met some amazing people along the way. It’s been quite the ride.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Can we leave our answer at “haha?” But really, nothing could have prepared us for the wild ride we were embarking on. Anyone who works in the service industry knows that it can sometimes be rough. Some nights are smooth and everyone leaves happy and other nights, it seems like we are all looking at each other in the back counting down how many hours until close. B.A.S.H. was our first baby. We take to heart every complaint and remember every positive experience a customer has reached out to us to tell us about. Our biggest struggle was learning to be okay with the criticism that comes with working in the restaurant industry and how to move forward and learn from that experience. In the world of Yelp, it was hard not to read every review and wonder if we would survive past our first year. Over the years, we’ve learned to find balance in the good and bad and truly enjoy what we do.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Burger and Sushi House was established in 2013 based on the idea of bringing everyone to the table. B.A.S.H. is a unique pairing of quality food, service, and ambiance. We offer a wide variety of sushi, burgers, mac n’ cheese, salads, and everything in-between. Our staff ranges from local familiar faces to a team of sushi chefs with experience from across the world. When looking for an option for everyone—we invite you to come to visit downtown Ottawa—the heart of Starved Rock country.
What were you like growing up?
We have actually known each other since 7th grade. We are at the point in our lives where we have known each other longer than we haven’t. We would describe one another as opposites who complement each other well.
Cody is most definitely the fun one. For as long as I’ve known him, he has always made everyone around him laugh. He’s social, extremely witty, and keeps us all on our toes. He’s also very sensitive and cares about the feelings of those around him. He’s always been interested in the different aspects of running a business and creating an environment that employees enjoy working at.
Chanel has always been a mother hen. As a business owner, she cares about people like their mothers would and sees the best in everyone. She is somewhat of a perfectionist and enjoys little details. Chanel has worked in the restaurant industry since she was 16 and her favorite part of being at B.A.S.H. is working side by side everyone.
Contact Info:
- Address: Burger and Sushi House
1012 North LaSalle Street
Ottawa, Illinois 61350 - Website: https://www.burgerandsushihouse.com/
- Phone: 815-434-2274
- Email: BASH@burgerandsushihouse.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/burgerandsushihouse/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BurgerAndSushiHouse/
Image Credit:
The Times/Tom Sistak
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