We live in a transactional world.
From the daily debit swipe for goods and services to the daily exchange of emotions and conversation, we are always trading back and forth between each other.
Although it’s easy to sign your receipt and move on your way, GainesvilleScene wants to dig a little deeper. Behind the Scene, our new series, gives you a glimpse into the world of the amazing locals who make Gainesville the exceptional town it is.
Sandra Carlisi owns and does it all at local restaurant East End Eatery. She’s lived in Gainesville for almost 30 years, her specialty dish is banana bread French toast, and she loves the sunrise on the ocean.
Do you have any cool memories from the restaurant?
I feel like having the restaurant gives us a connection to the community that I wouldn’t have as just a random person. I feel like in some small way we do effect some change. We have this play area so a tired mom can come and let her kids play and have a hot meal that she didn’t have to cook, and the kids are playing contentedly and not fighting over toys ‘cause it’s nobody’s toys. And y’know, she can get a little bit of down time, which is really hard to get when you’re either a single mom or a mom whose husband or partner is working.
What has been your favorite memory of the past year?
I guess most mornings when I wake up and my son is there next to me and just kind of puts his hand on my cheek and says “I love you, mommy” for no reason.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Wow. Probably still here on a Wednesday. I don’t see much difference in 5 years. I hope that the restaurant is still going strong. I hope Aiden (Carlisi’s nearly 5-year-old son) at 10 is willing to mow the lawn and do those kinds of things at the restaurant that need to happen. He’s too young to work legally, so we won’t having him doing that. I’ve joked that as soon as he can reach the sink he’s washing dishes. But yeah, I wouldn’t change much.
Do you know someone that we should feature for this series? Email us at scene@collegevox.com with the subject line “Behind the Scene”
