"Hostess" | Memoir | Part I of VI | Foundations

I loved my role as a hostess!
 
I felt like I was on cloud nine, serving as the hostess at Larry Forgione’s Signature Café in the prestigious Lord & Taylor’s Department Store, nestled in the posh neighborhood straddling Washington, D.C., and Chevy Chase, Maryland.
 
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My sister's friend was employed at Lord & Taylor’s as a sales associate, and she tipped me off about potential job vacancies for similar roles.
 
So, one fine day, I boarded the bus and journeyed far from my humble abode in the projects of Southeast, Washington, D.C., to the renowned Lord & Taylor Department Store in Chevy Chase, Maryland. This neighborhood was adorned with well-maintained residences, a stark contrast to the cramped house I called home.
 
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This job prospect ignited a spark of hope in me that I could eventually escape the confines of the projects.
 
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Upon reaching Lord & Taylor’s Human Resources Office, I discovered they needed a hostess, a role I gladly accepted. I was clueless about the job responsibilities but eager to learn.
I began my new job that very weekend!
 
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Being a fan of dresses and skirts, I chose a gorgeous dress to wear on my first day and every subsequent day at work. Later, with my hard-earned salary, I acquired a collection of exquisite dresses and fine costume jewelry from a consignment store on Capitol Hill called Clothes Encounters.
 
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I seated customers, handed out menus, engaged in friendly banter with the patrons, managed reservations, and ensured the tables were clean after customers left.
 
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I was so fond of my job that I contemplated keeping it indefinitely.
 
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What I cherished the most was interacting with everyone!
 
I gained popularity, and word of my charm reached Lord & Taylor’s Human Resources Office.
 
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While attending to customers, answering their queries, and making my rounds to engage in warm, friendly conversations, I noticed a well-dressed woman waiting to be seated. I quickly greeted her and handed her a menu.
 
She ordered cold water with lemon. After ensuring she was comfortable, I hurried off to attend to other customers, keeping the Café neat and assisting with serving food and coffee. I was content with my work.
 
When I returned to check if the woman wanted to order food, she was satisfied with her drink. I assured her I would check on her again shortly, to which she agreed.
 
As I moved from one table to another, engaging in small talk and ensuring the smooth operation of the Café, I noticed the woman with the lemon water observing me closely. This made me slightly uncomfortable.
 
The woman stayed for about an hour, sipping her water and observing me.
 
I continued to stay busy and enthusiastic, engaging with customers and assisting the waitstaff and team.
 
Then, the enigmatic woman revealed her identity!
 
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She was the director of Lord & Taylor’s Human Resources Office. She confessed that she had heard praises for my excellent hosting skills and decided to observe me in action.
 
Due to my unwavering commitment, I was granted a well-deserved bonus!
 
I was awarded a one-hundred-dollar American Express gift card along with a certificate that read: “Mia Z. Edwards, In recognition of her service as a hostess and dedication to the Larry Forgione’s Signature Café at Lord & Taylor Department Store.”
 
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This experience taught me that I have a knack for comfortably interacting with people from diverse backgrounds.
 
I hadn’t ventured much outside the projects to learn how to engage with different races and cultures, so this exposure was a valuable learning experience for me.
 
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Sadly, the Lord & Taylor Department store in Chevy Chase, Maryland, eventually closed down.
 
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When I finally secured a job in the federal government, I utilized the skills I acquired as a hostess by volunteering to organize my office’s holiday parties.
 
I also became the go-to person for arranging all other types of office parties in the bureau!

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 (Copyright © 2025 by Mia Z. Edwards. All rights reserved.)