Tellus & the Satellite Bar An interview with Tellus & the Satellite Bar

Our business has evolved since we opened, but at the core of it is our initial intention, which is to take care of people. Our objective is to be smart, efficient, and creative while continuing to grow as a business, as well as a team. Pizza is at the heart of our restaurant. We take a great deal of  pride in the ingredients we use, the recipes we create, and the time and dedication contributed by the entire staff. We enjoy serving decadent food that still nourishes people with high quality ingredients. We know it’s easier (and less exhausting!) to cut corners, but it is important to us to be intentional in what we do.

The nightclub has transformed into something we’d never imagined. From day one, we have invited people to "Be Wild. Be Humble. Come as you are.” And now, three and a half years in, The Satellite Bar is incredibly diverse and dynamic, offering people from all different communities a safe space to be free and enjoy a shared experience through the music Nhan plays. In this crazy world, watching people who might never interact in another space have a collective joyful experience is a privilege that I do not take for granted. In my many years in this industry, I always return to the root of why we do what we do. Our job is to feed people and cultivate connections. I remind myself and the staff that no matter how loud the music is or how bright the lights are, the objective is the same: "Take care." Of course, that looks different in the club than it does in the restaurant.

After New Year’s Day, we were open Friday and Saturday and ended up being busier than we’d expected. I had a lovely conversation with a gentleman on Saturday evening who voiced how grateful he was to us for being open directly after the holiday. He said he understood why many places close to give their staff a break, but it meant the world to him to have a place to go for human connection during this long winter. Every choice we make and every interaction we have is another opportunity to build upon that foundation of care. We can become part of people’s lives, not just once, but ideally for years to come.

In the Front of the House, I think it’s important for us all to keep learning and expanding, supporting each other as we move forward. Sometimes that means allowing someone to assume a new role. Sometimes it means allowing a role to change altogether. One of the phrases that bothers me most is, “That’s how it has always been.” To me, this begs the question of why? At times, the answer is because it’s the best way, and other times it’s not. If a system doesn’t work effectively, keeping it only restricts you. I strive to create a culture of trust through clear and open communication with my entire team.

Thornes in general has always been very generous and supportive. The staff in the building is wonderful and is always there for us when we need them. There is a sense of community that is so valuable. We miss having Cornucopia upstairs, but we’re also very happy that Provisions was able to move into that space. They and Paul & Elizabeth’s have helped us out more than once when we were in a bind.

We are always happy to see our friends in Thornes come to visit for any reason, whether it’s picking up takeout to eat while they finish up their day, taking a breath over a cocktail during the holiday season, or even bringing their friends to the nightclub.

We continue to host nightclub events  every Friday and Saturday. We'll keep doing whatever we think people are most interested in, which is always changing, and it’s our job to keep up with feedback. We’re also contemplating some menu changes as we move into a new season, but those are still in the early phases. We are excited to be back at the Tuesday Market this spring.

After participating in the Taste of Northampton last September, we gained a better sense of what we can offer outside without compromising our standards. We'll be selling pizza slices in addition to whole pies, and we hope to be able to add some other items as well. It's possible some of the tacos on our current menu might make an appearance.

As I get older, I realize that it’s mandatory for me to focus on self-care and maintenance, including working out and lifting weights. After all, how can I be supportive of the staff and our community if I am not in a good place, both physically and mentally?

But to be honest, I don’t really have free time. Recently I’m working on shifting my perspective related to that—it’s the nature of this job and it’s in service of having free time later in my life. It can be exhausting and stressful, but I also love this work and I’m proud of what we’ve created. Nhan and I do try to take some time to do market research, seeing what other people in this industry are doing in their spaces.

I am trying to be more present in the moment when I am with my family and appreciate the time I have with them. Even when I’m at work, I try to connect with my son no matter what time it is or what I have going on. Leading up to and directly after the holidays are a hectic time at Tellus, but this past Thanksgiving I was able to fully enjoy the holiday with my family. I am learning not to let the bright spots pass me by, and I encourage my team to do the same whenever possible.