Helping those who help others

People can’t figure out how Paul Sipes remembers the name of nearly every one of the 250 to 300 customers he sees every day.

He can’t really explain it. Names just stick.

“There’s no trick,” Sipes says. “Every individual is a person – not a customer or number or just another transaction.”

Recalling names is part of what people really like about Sipes, who’s managed BistrOH! at Ackerman Road for eight years. The café is a social hub in a building where administrative staff support medical center operations, including facilities, marketing, human resources and more.

Every weekday morning, Sipes arrives at 5:45 a.m. when it’s usually still dark. For the first hour of his day, he turns the radio up: 70s and 80s tunes blare while he sings and wraps bagels.

“My peak is around 6:15,” he jokes.

Having a brain that thrives on multitasking, Sipes likes the rush of a lot of customers. When there’s a line, he sometimes sings. And he always serves up dry humor along with the menu’s tasty breakfast and lunch options.

“My job is to help people who help people,” he says. “I like to provide comfort in the form of food. I know how stressful everyone’s work is. I try to create an atmosphere where people feel relaxed...an oasis.”

Before managing BistrOH! at Ackerman, Sipes ran the café at Ohio State Outpatient Care East. He liked connecting with customers, hearing about their kids and their vacations and sharing about his life.

“For almost 14 years, I’ve been myself every day,” he says. “On the rare occasions when I’m having a not-so-good day, I don’t say, ‘I’m fine.’ I tell them how I am, what’s got me frustrated or down. Conversely, I share my joy.”