INDIANAPOLIS — Serving customers on Christmas is a longtime tradition for one local business.
Downtown Olly's is open 24/7, 365 days a year. The crew at Olly's helps everyone who stops in feel like they have family on what can be a lonely holiday for many.
Jeffrey Baker is one of several employees at Downtown Olly's who keep things running all year long.
"Any time, day or night, there will be somebody here," Baker said.
Baker knows he's missing out on time with his loved ones, but he's been in the service industry for 20 years and that's how it goes. Someone has to work the holidays and as he sees it, it might as well be someone like him.
"I like to provide a place for people to go," Baker said. "I'm fortunate to have friends and family, and not everyone has that."
The sacrifice is noticed by customers like Gerri Burkowitz.
"Without them, a lot of people would be at home alone and they wouldn't be surrounded by friends," Burkowitz said.
After visiting on Thanksgiving, Burkowitz decided to do something to give back.
"They didn't have a home-cooked meal, so I told them I'd bring them Christmas dinner. So I did," Burkowitz said. "They thought I'd forget but when I came over with the food they were shocked."
While they don't expect all their customers to bring them home-cooked meals, they hope how they make Gerri feel is how they make everyone feel — like family.
