Leader of the Year The Leader • Saturday, December 29, 2018 • Page 1B
Food, smiles, hospitality at Hartz Crispy Chicken
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com Do what’s in your capacity. That simple motto of Hartz Crispy Chicken on Pinemont restaurant manager Naro Mak, though poignant, likely cannot do justice to what he and his staff have given to our local communities. Mak, who briefly came to Houston in the early 80s before his family moved to California for much of his life, returned just a few short years ago after spending some time away from the family restaurant business. But a conversation with his uncle a few years ago brought him back in 2016 – and he hasn’t looked in the rearview. “I realized I was passionate, not just about food, but what food does for people. I sit back and listen to the conversations that go on and watch people eat – it’s pretty amazing. I watch the kids come in and their eyes light up when they see tenders, it’s incredible,” Mak said. “I’ve met some pretty amazing people over here. This transcends the physicality of foods and goes basically to the spiritual aspect of things. That’s what I’m passionate about, and that’s what the restaurant has enabled me to do.” Mak has been selected as our 2018 Leader of the Year for providing hospitality on a platter at Hartz and giving back to a community he says embraced him from the moment he returned to Houston and kept business flowing for the duration of construction near the intersection on Pinemont and Ella Boulevard that wreaked havoc on business. “Whatever we can do to help the neighborhood, we’re going to make happen – because the neighborhood helped us stay the course. It was like having a bad day at work for almost two years, but they got us through it,” he said. “…I’m a firm believer
Photo by Jean Dukate Though he gets the accolades, Mak is quick to credit his staff at Hartz for playing a crucial role in every endeavor he undertakes.
of doing unto others and letting the universe take care of itself. It was just one project at a time, doing this or that to keep my mind off what was happening internally – then I started to see the turnaround coming from that.” One such endeavor has been offering his restaurant on Pinemont as a drop-off and pickup zone during the holidays, after reports in past years of grinches pilfering packages from stoops and doorsteps. It’s not the norm for a business – but Mak is not your typical restaurant manager. “Do what’s in your capacity. Don’t focus on things being too much or being too little,” he said. “As long as you focus on doing what you can [for others], I think the world will be a better place.” There are also several personal causes close to Mak’s
heart, that in turn reach beyond the walls of any building A Marines veteran, Mak serves the Second Vice Commander at the Garden Oaks American Legion. As the father of a son with autism, he also harbors a passion for aiding organizations helping to create growth and opportunities. He has offered food, assistance, and love to organizations such as Summerhouse’s Heights campus, personally delivering lunch on numerous occasions. “There’s a lot of hurt in the world, and you can’t help everybody – so I try to find and focus on things that are closest to me,” he said. Summerhouse is a local non-profit that creates personal growth opportunities for young adults with intellectual disabilities. “While we always enjoy the
Photo by Jean Dukate Though known as “The Chicken Man,” Naro Mak has served our local neighborhoods with more than just the fried delicacy.
delicious feast, we are more touched by the time [Naro] takes to get to know each one of our members and value our organization,” Summerhouse Assistant President Hannah White said. “He is a treasure to our community and a caring leader worth following!” However, Mak was quick on the draw to credit a network family, friends, and staff at the restaurant and acknowledge the crucial role they play in the endeavors credited to his name – such as the package delivery/drop-off, donations to schools/organizations, and feeding about 1,500 residents, first responders, and volunteers during Hurricane Harvey last year. “My staff really are the ones who should get all the credit – I’m the amplifier, but these folks work so hard. All the money for [serving food] was raised by my family and friends – I didn’t know what I could do. I just put it out there to the universe, and we raised thousands,” he said. “My staff did that – they’re the ones who came in when Harvey was going on, to help us feed our neighbors. We sold two days’ worth of goods in an afternoon.” He’s gotten coverage and accolades for many of his endeavors; but in his mind, Mak is simply returning to the community in full what they’ve given him. “You realize ‘If I can help this person, that helps the other person help someone else,’ and so on.’ That’s where I want to be. I want to look my kid in the eye and say – even if I can’t dunk a basketball or run into the end zone – I was able to help a lot of people,” he said. “You see all this stuff happening, and it’s amazing to realize we just played a part. Do what’s in your capacity. I think if everyone focused on that, the world would be a better place.”
Omni Houston Hotel unveils $30 million upgrade By Zarah Parker zarah@theleadernews.com The Omni Houston Hotel has reopened its doors after undergoing a 15-month, $30 million renovation, which was prompted by Hurricane Harvey’s stay at the hotel over a year ago. Guests are welcome to come and experience the upgrades to the hotel. The urban resort located at 4 Riverway took this renovation as an opportunity to implement Houston’s natural surroundings throughout the interior of the hotel, as well as give credence to the city’s rich history. “Each space is a testament to Omni’s ‘local flavor’ and you’ll see various colors, materials, textures, and patterns
highlighting this throughout the newly designed hotel,” said Laura McKoy, vice president of interior design and creative director for Omni Hotels & Resorts. This embrace of Houston’s culture begins on the first floor, with touches of leather, bronze, brass and lush green complemented with open spaces and floor-to-ceiling windows that bring in plenty of natural light. The artwork that was chosen to hang in the hotel all connect to a piece of the city’s history. In one area three large paintings hang, two of astronauts and one of an astronaut’s helmet, which if you look into closely enough will reveal a monkey’s face. On another wall is a mural of Hous-
Photo supplied Shown here is a shot of the improved whiskey bar at the Omni Houston Hotel. The upgrade was part of a $30 million renovation.
Congratulations Naro Mak - 2018 Leader of the Year.
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tonians through the ages, from cowboys to a modern woman listening to music. A wall of live moss is featured behind three copper reception desks in the lobby, setting a welcoming contrast of color. Another live moss wall is featured in the lobby with a few binoculars set in as if looking through a hedge. When looking through each pair of binoculars, you’re met with various historical houses in Houston. The Omni offers use of a few public spaces on its first floor, including La Reserve Whiskey Lounge, which is set in dim lighting with orange, brown and black accents that gives the lounge a cozy atmosphere. Two walls in the lounge are covered in black
and white photographs of different times in Houston’s history. The lounge serves premium blends and Texas tapas. Next to reception is COMMONCOLOR, a high-end retail venue showcasing goods from What Goes Around Comes Around, vintage handbags and jewelry from Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton and more. What’s dubbed as the lobby “library,” features plush sofas, leather armchairs, a bookshelf wall and fireplace, giving the lobby an inviting and communal feel. Taking inspiration from Memorial Park’s lavish green scenery, the hotel’s new Birdies Cafe & Bar gives visitors See Omni P. 2B
Congratulations to Naro Mak 2018 Leader of the Year
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