GARFIELD -- Belinda Herrington's friendly face is one of the first you see when you visit The Short Stop Grill in Garfield.
As a cashier near the front of the store, Herrington has the opportunity to meet and greet a lot of people who come in for gas, lottery tickets, refreshment, a snack -- or The Short Stop's famous ice cream.
Herrington's job is a busy one. She has a list of chores to be accomplished daily, including stocking, cleaning the bathrooms, waiting on customers, selling lottery tickets and taking care of those who want to pre-pay for their gas.
She's only been at her job for a few months, but says The Short Stop Grill is a great place to work.
"I love my job," she says. "I love the people that I work with. I have a good boss. We're all like one family."
Herrington lived in the area for 17 years, moved to Oklahoma for a while and recently returned to the area. She has a son, who lives in Bentonville, and cousins and family members in the area as well.
In fact, she met a new cousin for the first time at a family get-together not long ago.
"I didn't know she was my cousin for 28 years," she said. "I met Lulu for the first time."
Meeting new people, as well as getting to see a lot of "regulars," makes the job a great deal of fun. The shop's famous ice cream draws regulars and newcomers for miles.
"We have people who will drive 50 miles for our ice cream," she quipped, adding that folks actually drive from Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas and other states for the "big ole' cone."
The most difficult part of the job, so far, has been learning the old-school credit card processing machine. Herrington admits she struggled with that for about three weeks. Then, one day, she came in and "everything clicked."
Herrington plans on staying at her job for quite a while. With family in the area, and "family" at work, she loves to see the people come and go and help in any way she can.
So, a person has to ask, "Since you work here, do you get free ice cream?"
Herrington laughed.
"Yes," she said. "I get free ice cream."
Community on 05/10/2017