16 JANUARY 19-25, 2023 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | LETTERS | CONTENTS | portunity to open another restaurant around here, we probably wouldn’t do it, because we know the direction that this is going,” Rodri- guez adds. “You work so hard to get nothing at the end of the day; you just become a paycheck factory.” Despite that, Work & Class isn’t going anywhere. Its solid reputation, relatively low rent and small number of staff compared to the volume of business it brings in makes it sustain- able, even in today’s challenging environment. And so Rodriguez and Tabatha Knop — who had never worked at a restaurant before joining the opening team at Work & Class and becoming a partner in 2016 — are determined to keep it going, with Maciag’s original vision guiding the way. While there won’t be any big changes to the food or drink menus, there will defi nitely be changes. “The customer service, the sarcastic way that Tony did it, and the way that Tony is always engaging with all the tables, that’s going to be gone with Tony, so we need to teach [our staff] how to keep that so this can still be the same place,” Rodriguez explains. “I have tons of anxiety about it all, obvi- ously,” Maciag admits. “But at some point, you’ve gotta be like, I’ve given you every- thing that I have, and now it’s yours. So go for it and just crush it, and just remember what’s important.” One thing that’s clearly important to both is each other. “Thank you for putting up with me. Thank you for letting me be me,” the normally stoic Maciag shares with Rodriguez, a hint of tears in his eyes. “Are you gonna cry?” she teases, before adding, “We’re so good together, baby. ... I will never fi nd a partner like Tony ever in my life. I think it’s because we both come from the bottom and we worked really hard to get where we are. But I will never fi nd a person that I know I can trust. Even if he had the opportunity to fuck me up, he wouldn’t do it.” While he’s not sure if he’ll return to the Mile High, Maciag is grateful for the city he’s called home. “I absolutely am a better person for what I’ve experienced and the people I’ve interacted with over 25 years in Denver,” he says. “It’s amazing, and I wish somehow I could shake hands with every person who, even if it was one time, I had some meaningful interaction with in my restaurant. Those are the things I remember.” After a long pause and a deep breath, he offers this parting advice, which can be ap- plied both inside and outside of the four walls of Work & Class: “Be thoughtful. Make good decisions. And throw a party every night.” Email the author at [email protected]. Cafe continued from page 15 Tony Maciag greets his favorite regular, Pickles. MOLLY MARTIN 3004 W. 105th Ave Westminster, CO 80031 303-955-0051 8330 Washington St Denver 80229 303-287-4250 7310 N Federal Blvd Westminster 80030 303-650-4030 ................................. ................................. ............ 1967
