Mac’s Cafe: Breakfast, Lunch, and Employment Success

What do you do? Where do you work? These are the first questions Americans love asking other Americans. Our country is one of doing, acting, and making an impact on the world around us one way or another. Today I want to share one local gentleman’s positive difference to our Butler community.

I zipped over to Mac’s Route 8 Café, you may know it for its convenient location. I had the privilege of meeting Nicki Buczko, manager of Mac’s Café, and Michael Lawton, member of the café’s team.   

Michael Lawton, aged 25, has been employed at Mac’s Café for 6 years (this April). In a cancel culture with high turnover in practically every field, what’s the secret behind Michael’s steadfastness? It didn’t take long talking with Nicki and Michael to learn that Mac’s Café boasts a sort of dream team. The team functions like a big, healthy, happy family. The workday is productive as it bustles with customers, but they always make time for each other. Sometimes they connect over a quick tease of inside jokes with Michael dropping the pun over a giant smile. Michael even demonstrated the secret handshake he shares with his manager, Nicki.

Job satisfaction is a rare and wonderful thing. Talking with Michael, I realized he found his sweet spot. He enjoys taking care of the café with cleaning, dusting, sprucing up tables between customers, and most of all welcoming and interacting with patrons, especially the regulars. Some customers visit the café every day; “they just love Michael” said Nicki Buczko, manager. She recalled when Michael first entered Mac’s Café on a month trial as part of employment experience with Community Action Partnership. Nicki described how Michael, the team, and the café’ just hit it off so well that they were a perfect fit for each other.

The Tuesday regulars relish seeing Michael. Recently he added Thursday to his schedule. You don’t have to take my word for it; Michael Lawton is designated as the official Employee of the Month on a plaque that hangs over the kitchen. His mother, Kathy Lawton, described their appreciation for the opportunity at Mac’s Café. It was clear to see that Michael is as grateful for the job as his employer is for him.

When Michael Lawton is not on the job he stays busy with friends and family as they enjoy tv and a variety of games. He is a social butterfly it seems; he listed talking with others as his favorite pastime.

Michael has enjoyed other part time jobs throughout the season at notable places such as the Pittsburgh Zoo, Dairy Queen, Walgreens, Double Tree, and the Marriott. His record may have a lot of experience in a variety of settings but he discovered his favorite roles include that essential social piece. He prefers customer and colleague interaction over some behind the scenes jobs that can be isolating. The people of Butler prefer that connection as well; they enjoy being welcomed by Michael into Mac’s Café.

The menu at Mac’s Café boasts a variety of delicious fare but Michael Lawton recommends his favorite, the Reuben. He enjoys their Bacon Cheeseburger as well. You can feel the family vibe in this community gem off of Route 8. Currently, customers are offered a free cookie when you order at the register. Stop by, maybe order a Reuben, and say hi to Michael. A culture of community is built one person at a time, and it is sweetened one customer at a time at Mac’s Café.

Want to learn more before you dine? Check out Mac’s Route 8 Café on Facebook.

All pictures shared with permission by Michael Lawton and Nicki Buczko.