"We Worked There"

The Park Café offers a really wonderful and rare combination of a beautiful location, a tight-knit community, and a fun working environment. During my summers working at the café, I have made many--so many--great friends and memories that I wouldn't trade my experience there for anything.

Stephanie Erwin 2006-07
University of Idaho

I went to work at the Park Café because I wanted to be in Glacier National Park. I left 3 years later with lifelong friends and memories - and some marketable restaurant skills!

Amy Sheppard, 1991-1993
Events and Volunteer Manager, Holter Museum of Art
Helena, MT

Many moons have passed since I set foot in Park Café and Grocery, but if I had a choice, I would hit the rewind button so I could have one more chance to live that life of executing culinary duties, trekking around in Glacier, long nights at Kip's, and proudly living in a trailer.

Jaime Wang, 1996
Attorney, New York, NY

You guys rock, seriously. I grew up SIGNIFICANTLY that summer, not only as a person, but as a scientist. The pies I had are still the best.

Melissa Lucero, 1987
Postdoctoral Fellow, Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos, NM

I spent some of the best summers of my life working for the Park Café. Between the unbelievable beauty of the park and the incredible people I worked with/for, it really was a little piece of heaven. Those summers changed my life and gave me an even greater love of the outdoors. It is the perfect spot for those who like to work hard and play hard.

Kim Martiny, 1996-2000
Department of the Interior
Washington, DC

Glacier National Park is an amazing place to work and play. Spending free time hiking, climbing, and fishing in this park is excellent. The best place to work, eat, or shop on the east side of Glacier is at the Park Café. The owners always care more about their employees and customers than just making money.

Brad Packer, 1994-95
Math Teacher CM Russell High School
Great Falls, MT

Working at the Café was the perfect mix of serenity and insanity and probably one of the best summers of my life!! Great food good times and the hippest crowd in Glacier to work for and with. I miss it still!
Art McConnell, 2002
Drummer, Chris May Trio aboard the Island Princess

The Park Café is an incredible community. We worked together, we laughed together, we hiked together. What can be better in life than a bowl of chili and a cold beer after a 20+ mile hike shared with good friends? My children at times think I have made it all up, but such a wonderful place really does exist. It's called the Park Café and Kathryn, Neal, Rob, Terry and assorted four-legged critters are the ring leaders. Those with an adventurous spirit need apply.

Renee (Paige) Hartsook, Ph.D, 1992
Pharmacology and Toxicology Consultant
Milpitas, CA

I have no trouble remembering the awesome bonfires, the exciting days working in the Café, the hikes I took that I can't BELIEVE that I did now, and the always tasty PIES! I learned some important things while at the Park Café, and they will stay with me forever.

Sarah (Gilberts) Lipoff 1994
San Rafael, CA

The Park Café changed my life. What a great way to spend the summer.

Kiza Gates 1998-99
Graduate Research Assistant
Bozeman, MT

Park Café and Grocery is sweetest summer place to work in United States for sure.

Andrey V. Myagkiy, 2004
Russia

My summer at the Park Café equaled that of my study-abroad in Australia. From working and living with the most intriguing, uniquely-gifted people from all over the world, to being captivated by God's amazing creation, to the tastiest, mouth-watering pies in the world, it was a life-changing experience. The Park Café has a life of its own that can only be fully understood through the experience of working there.

Jennifer Greene, 2004
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
South Hamilton. MA

I spent no more than 2 months in this magical place and yet not a summer goes by when i don't find myself wondering how I can find my way back to the dirt road, the strong bond with strangers and the indestructible memories of such a fragile time. Thank you for the memories, I hold them dear.

Colleen O'Boyle, 2000
Grad student and teacher
La Jolla, CA

I will never forget the summers I spent at the Park Café. I loved all the interesting people I met from all over the world. I loved working under Kathryn in the kitchen. My memories working at the Park Café and Glacier Park will be with me forever.

Debbie (Jacobs) Scott, 1989-91
Adventure Bikes Tours
Anza, CA

I am a Park Café cheerleader! The Park Café was much more than just a job. It was a community of extended family, and an incredible opportunity to explore the beauties of Glacier Park's endless outdoor opportunities.

Beth Jacob, 2000-03
Anthropology graduate student and research assistant
Memphis, TN

My time at The Park Café was the finest of my life. The friends I made and experiences I had at the Café and in Glacier National Park will never be paralleled. The Café offered me serene and rugged hiking and mountaineering, and an opportunity to work as a part of a "family" with great people from all over the country.

Jennifer Lees, 1997

It was my first time in in the USA, and so far it was most beautiful place I have ever been, and friendliest people I have ever met.

Irina Ciuprinikova, 2000
Lithuania

The Park Café is my second home. It has such a relaxing vibe and the people that you meet there feel like family. I can't wait to come back.

Cala Flamond, 2003-05
St. Mary, MT

A Park Café Memoir...July 1995.I received a call from my good friend, Mike Klimek, who said, "Del Duca, get up here!" And two days later I arrived in Montana at The Park Café where I was to spend the first of four consecutive summers working as a "waitron" at the Café and at the sister store as a "clerk." I had arrived at a place that would be life changing in more ways than one. I could hardly wait until May every year to return to the beauty and awe of the park. It is a place where deep roots are sowed, not only with friends that become family and remain family for a lifetime, but a love for the alluring and intoxicating beauty of Glacier.

Your experience will most likely be one that you will carry in your heart and soul forever. I met my soul mate and life mate while working at the Café, Troy Rohn. If you are reading this and wondering whether or not to make the journey and spend your summer working in Glacier National Park, I say, "Do it!" You'll never regret it and who knows...maybe you'll meet your mate, maybe not...but you will meet some of the coolest people and coolest owners of a Café (which we are still VERY close with) and you too, can one day share your story of your summer(s) at The Park Café!

Lisa Del Duca-Rohn, 1995-98
Boise, ID

I was clueless when a classmate said Glacier Park was one of the most magnificent places on earth: I just wanted a job and a little adventure. Was he right! A piece of my heart is forever in those mountains. And adventure? Who else beside Kathryn would craft, with the precision of a linear programmer, a work schedule that accommodated most every request for a "must do" hike or road trip with a "must go" buddy?

Janet Hammer, 1983-85, 1991
Doctoral Candidate, Director of Community Food Matters
Portland State University

My summer spent at the Café was a graduation present to myself before I had to hit the real world. If I had gotten an "earlier" start, I would have spent many more summers there. The work was pretty fun actually - even cleaning things with toothpicks - (at least you know the place is clean!) and the scheduling gave us tons of time to explore the park and develop friendships. Although I am out of touch with my friends from that summer, they are always in my heart and often in my thoughts. I've been blessed to meet many quality people in my life, but you folks are some of my very favorites.

Kathy Webb, 1991
Director of Development, Neighborhood Club
Grosse Pointe, Michigan

I can't really say enough about my experiences at the Park Café. It was a time of growing, changing, and learning. We always had so much fun whether we were working at the Café or playing in the Park. Adventures were had and friendships cemented. Even today, some of my best friends are the ones I made during my time at the Café. Oh, and Glacier...? One of the most magical places on Earth!

Melissa Scott 1987-1990
Bozeman, MT

My time at the Park Café was one of the greatest experiences I have had. I still, and always will, have a strong connection with Glacier. Everything was extreme, the amazing hikes the hard work the array of people and culture. It was all life changing.

Ginny Klausmeier, 2002
Graduate student, University of Oregon

I have nothing but GREAT things to say about the Park Café and Grocery. I completely loved my experience there and enjoyed the traveling. I went on hikes, trips to Calgary, Whitefish and Kalispell, and Lethbridge. I lived in the winter caretaker's house and my room was actually the kitchen. I put my clothes in the cupboards.

Heidi Woolsey, 1982-83
Vista, CA

Working at Park Café is one of the best experiences I have ever had. I met a ton of wonderful people. The managers are incredible. Glacier National Park is awe inspiring. I recommend to anyone who can work hard, play hard, and have fun the whole way through- do this!

Daniel Fox, 2005

What an opportunity to get to spout about my favorite working experience. No job comes close to working at the Park Café. The people are wonderful and the location phenomenal. What could be better than living and working and recreating with such a smart, talented and often hilarious bunch with Glacier Park in your backyard? I now make my home on the edge of Glacier due in large part to the fantastic experience I enjoyed at the Café. I get to teach English at the local tribal college, work for The Park Service in the summer and pop in at the Café for my chocolate cream pie fix.

Colleen O'Brien, 1994, 2001
English Teacher, Blackfeet Community College
East Glacier Park, MT

When I came to the Park Café my first summer, all I wanted was a small get away. Yet when I left that first summer, I realized that in this small place within the mountains, I found peace of heart. I have a new family. Our home is in the mountains with fresh coffee and delicious food. Our place is on the trails and laughing through the campfire over stories of all our trials and triumphs. Our bellies are always full of pie. I work with and for the best people in the park. The mountains will change the way you look at life. And the Park Café will change that way you live your life. And when you leave, life will never be the same.

Lindsey Schuldt 2006-07; University of Wisconsin

"The Park Café was the best possible summer job I could have had. Fantastic people, fantastic friends, fantastic Glacier! When my two daughters hit college age, I'll be sending them off for an interview!"

Audrey Schmidt Brown, 1983-84, 1986
First Grade teacher at Yokohama International School, Japan
Nature Club Facilitator

"Working at the Park Café remains one of the most important times of my life...right up there with getting married and having kids! The unbelievable location, wonderful people, and family-oriented work environment made for an unforgettable experience."

Erin (Ippolito) Christoforetti, 1997-98
Executive Sales Manager
Washington, DC

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