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Restaurant, customers rally to manager's side
By JANE BOKUN TOWN 'N COUNTRY -- Luis Osorio never saw it coming. The co-manager of the Garden Grille on 8425 W Hillsborough Avenue was traveling to work from his Clearwater home when his car died on Courtney Campbell Parkway. "I saw an open bait shop and I started to walk there," said Osorio, 30. But it was 5:30 a.m. and it was dark. Before he knew it, he was hit by a car. After that, he said, details are sketchy. Osorio spent four days in St. Joseph's hospital for a concussion, fractured cheek bones, damage to his spleen and stitches in his head and elbows. Recovery took two months, and Osorio has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from his customers. A sign in front of the popular Town 'N Country cafe still thanks guests for their prayers. "When I was in the hospital, there were so many cards and flowers from our customers that one nurse asked if I was a rock star," he said. Brenda Baskal, his fellow manager at the Garden Grille, also was surprised. "We had local churches praying for Luis and everyone was concerned," she said. That included the Spanish-language prayer group at Incarnation Catholic Church. Fruit baskets, flowers and giant cards from customers were on display in the restaurant and at the hospital. Baskal and Osorio have worked together in Tampa Bay area restaurants since Osorio moved here from Pueblo, Mexico at 15. "He worked his way up the ladder," Baskal said. Along the way, Osorio, who lives in Parker's Landing, became a U.S. citizen. Osorio is back at work part time at the Greek-American restaurant, mingling with the customers when he can. The accident is still under investigation while Osorio counts his blessings. "I'm just happy to be able to come back and work at the restaurant," he said. "It's a miracle."
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
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From the Times |
