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Working: A day on the job in South Pinellas County

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 17, 2002

Mattie Atwater, 66

Owner, Atwater's Cafeteria

895 22nd Ave. S, St. Petersburg

How long have you been doing this?

Since 1965.

How did you get into the restaurant business?

Well, my husband and I had nine children (her husband, Elzo, died in 1997). I couldn't cook enough to keep up. My husband would come home and say, "Is this all you have?" And I said, "If you want more, you're going to have to get a restaurant." He had been eating here, and he said the owner was getting ready to retire, and so we went ahead with it.

Is the restaurant mostly run by the family?

They all worked here at one point. Now I have four of my children working here, and two other employees. But if an emergency comes up or we have a big catering job, they all pitch in.

What's the best part of your job?

I enjoy everything: washing dishes, serving the customers. I don't cook anymore. I love people, and I try to keep this open so people who don't like to cook have somewhere to go.

What's the worst part?

Hard work. There's a lot of work in restaurants and not a lot of pay, I'll tell you that.

What kind of money do you make?

Oh, I couldn't even say. On a good day we might serve 200 people, and we charge $6 a plate. We don't make a lot of money, but we survive. We make a living.

A restaurant like yours often serves as a gathering place for the community. Do you feel that way?

Yes, very much so. I have a bunch of deacons and ministers who come in every day for their coffee and biscuit. I try to cater to that. This is a family restaurant. It's for people to come in and enjoy themselves.

What's the best kind of day for you?

When I come to work and everybody is in the kitchen doing what they're supposed to do. If I come in and see a smiling face, that's a good day.

What's the worst kind of day?

I came in here and this place was supposed to be open at 7 a.m., and nobody was here. And then they came in late and had an attitude. There have been a few of those.

What kind of hours do you work?

I don't work long hours anymore. I only work two or three hours a day. Used to be, I worked sunup to sundown. Then I had to go home and clean my house and get my kids to bed. And then, from midnight to 2 a.m., I'd sew. "A man works from sun to sun, but a woman's work is never done."

If you could have your dream job, what would it be?

I don't want a job! I want to sit home and relax now. I want to get up in the morning and not do anything. All I want to do is go to church and read my Bible. I want to give my last years to the Lord.

So, are you planning to retire soon?

I'm supposed to be retiring. I'm trying, but I can't seem to get out of here. Looks like it's gotten in my bones.