Owner of House of Benny’s in Poland realigning business goals
Opening a restaurant was always a lifelong dream for Sonya Diaz, owner of House of Benny’s in Poland, a community-focused neighborhood gathering place for breakfast and lunch.
“I lived in Youngstown my whole life,” Diaz said. “I moved away, then was homeless eight years ago from Hurricane Irma, and that’s what brought me back to Ohio. Our pancakes are the bomb. It’s House of Benny, so tons of eggs Benedict specials for Lent. We have a spicy haddock Benedict, so it comes with fresh greens on it and hot peppers.”
In August, the House of Benny’s team will be celebrating their fourth anniversary. Heading into spring, Diaz said House of Benny’s has a new realignment plan with strategies to keep moving forward.
“We’re down to eight employees,” she said. “I’ve been in the business 35 years. I’m changing the energetic vibe. I needed people that align with my purpose.”
Diaz started as a server and hostess, before learning how to prepare dishes and multitask orders in the kitchen when she opened House of Benny’s.
“My cook’s been with me since day 14,” Diaz said.
She also uses an automated robotic server to deliver orders to tables inside the restaurant, which helps members of House of Benny’s wait staff not develop long-term soreness from carrying heavy trays.
“You get a party at a big table, and you put those plates on a tray, the next thing you know, you’re going to the chiropractor, so he’s our body mechanic saver,” Diaz said. “As we’re getting in young employees, I figure why not help them out. I got that as an assistant to help, so the waitresses can stay out here. We can run [food out] with less, and they can make more money.”
Diaz is also the owner of Soul’s Quest Yoga studio in New Middletown, and employees at House of Benny’s get free classes.
