Hallie's Diner in Petaluma.

Serving meals with a smile

Even when customers are lining up outside the door at Hallie's Diner waiting to be seated, waiter LeRoy Hairston keeps composed with a friendly smile at the busy Keller Street restaurant.

His warm, welcoming attitude is what has earned him the title of Service Person of the Week.

Hairston, a native of Pittsburg, Pa., headed out west to California in 2003 and made his home in Petaluma in 2006.

"The people of Petaluma made me fall in love with this area," said Hairston. "The people and the social life here are great."

Hairston has been working at Hallie's for the past 4-and-a-half years and said he enjoys the clientele, most of whom are regulars.

"It's like saying hello to a friend every day," said Hairston. "Of course, the people I work with are great, too. I love working with all of them."

"LeRoy is always pleasant and efficient," said Tom Wilson, a Hallie's customer. "He gives great and attentive service, even when Hallie's is busy, busy busy."

Hairston, who also works as a server at Seared on Petaluma Boulevard, firmly believes in making customers feel welcome no matter how busy it may be.

"When serving customers, the thing I always think about is how would I want my dining experience to be," said Hairston. "It always makes for a better experience when your server is in a good mood and is happy to be there."

Do you know a Petaluma service person who offers exemplary service? If so, we want to know about it.

Nominations can cover all aspects of the service industry from coffee shops to grocery stores, but should not include business owners, managers, supervisors, directors or those in charge of departments. Previous Service Person of the Year honorees will not be considered for the contest.

Five nominees will be named Service Person of the Week. Then, beginning Feb. 27, readers will vote on which one should be crowned Service Person of the Year.

The winner will be honored in the Argus-Courier and at the 2014 Petaluma Community Awards of Excellence on March 27.

Email Service Person of the Week nominations to argus@arguscourier.com or mail nominations to: Service Person of the Year, Petaluma Argus-Courier, P.O. Box 750308, Petaluma 94975 or drop it by the Argus-Courier office at 719C Southpoint Blvd. No phone calls please. Nominations need to be in writing.

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