As most everyone knows, tipping after a meal has become a normal habit for most Americans.  Of course, while the amount of tip left often depends on the service, food, and overall experience, many people do not realize that a tip is much more to someone in the service industry than they imagine.

On average, most people in the service industry technically do not make over $5 an hour.  Their wage is dependent on how much in tips they earn.  In turn, tipping is an incentive for servers and bartenders to provide the best possible service.

One restaurant in New York City made news recently for breaking with tradition and taking the European and Asian approach of including the tip into the final bill handed to the customer.  This bold idea allows for employees of the restaurant to work on salary with paid vacations, sick days, benefits and insurance.  While great for employees, the downside for customers is the increased menu prices needed to help pay for these new installments.

The quality of restaurants is one issue stemming from this idea.  Understandably, the restaurant wants to be able to provide for its employees.  But in order to take on an idea like this, the quality of the restaurant - along with its food - needs to reflect its prices.  If a restaurant is going to raise their rates, then the food and service need to be top notch. 

We don't foresee this plan ever working outside of a large city. A family-owned place like us would never be able to survive financially by doing this. The upside is that we can still keep menu prices down while continuing to offer great service and a wonderful time. (hint hint)

Certainly, we here at the Uptown have no intentions of making this switch.  We do, however, like to stay in tune with industry trends, and we found the concept to be one of interest... one we thought was worth sharing. 

This summer, the Hegeler Carus Mansion is expanding their Ravinia-styled Summer Sunset Concerts.  They have musicians booked on Friday evenings from June 14 through Labor Day weekend, concluding with the Music in the Air outdoor music festival on Saturday, August 31.
 
The Summer Sunset Concerts and the Music in the Air festival will be held outdoors on the west lawn in the newly constructed gazebo and gardens on the west lawn of the Hegeler Carus Mansion.  There will be a great variety of musical styles from Classic Rock, to Bluegrass, to Country, showcasing the very best in local musicians.
 
Like all of their events, the concerts will raise funds for the restoration of the Hegeler Carus Mansion and the Julius W. Hegeler I Home which will ultimately be a Center for Community Enrichment.  When completed, the Hegeler Center will offer more classes, lectures, concerts and event space to benefit our community.
 
In past years, the annual outdoor concerts have had between 75 and 600 attendees.  Expectations are to build upon the momentum created last year when attendance grew due to the consistency of having concerts every Friday instead of just twice a season.  The variety of music offered this year is very exciting.
 
All Concerts will start at 7 pm; however, guests are encouraged to arrive any time after 5:30 pm to enjoy a picnic on the grounds.  (Just a friendly Uptown reminder that we offer carry-outs... order ahead and grab your to-go meal from us on your way to the show!) 

Please call their office at (815) 224-5895 for more information, or view a list of upcoming performances and events on their website.  You can also follow them on Facebook.