Karen R.

Karen was born in Antigua, where she lived until she was nine years old. She then moved to Brooklyn, NY, where she completed her schooling before entering the retail industry. In 2016, Karen began at Eataly NYC Flatiron as a Front End Sales Associate, a position she held for five years, ultimately being promoted to Lead. Karen then transitioned her focus to Digital Orders, leading app-based shopping fulfillment at Flatiron. In 2023, she returned to Front End as Manager.

As the face of Flatiron’s Front End Team, Karen is highly dependable and deeply valued by teammates and guests for her warmth and professionalism. Since her start at Eataly, she has grown tremendously into an adept manager of both people and financial operations. Karen knows how to balance her team’s needs with the demands of her role, doing what it takes to make the department run as smoothly as possible. She is an empathetic and skilled leader, who’s respected for her calm demeanor, problem-solving ability, and unwavering support of her fellow Eatalians.

In your own words, what is the job of a Front End Manager at Eataly?
“Together with my team, I oversee our cash flow to ensure all payments are accounted for. I make sure that we provide great service to our customers and that they leave with a good impression. We are the last people they see before they leave the store. In some ways, my job is like a glorified cashier. I am hands on; I’m on the floor. I don’t expect my team to do what I’m not willing to do.”

What’s your favorite part of your job?
“My team and our customers. I love my team. They all have different personalities. They keep me on my toes and keep me grounded.”

What have you learned during your time at Eataly so far?
“Patience! I’ve also learned about different ways to effectively communicate with others. Sometimes, I must show my softer side.”

What advice do you have for a fellow Eatalian team member?
“Be open and honest with managers and team members. Don’t be afraid to be who you are. Be yourself.”

What have you learned about Italian food since working at Eataly?
“Cooking pasta al dente was new to me. In my culture, we cook it until it’s softer. Trying caviar was also an experience for me. I tasted it during a sampling in the store and found it to be really good – buttery and surprisingly not fishy. I’ve also tried razor clams and enjoyed cooking with them. Here at Eataly, you can always find something to love.”

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
“I wanted to be a Registered Nurse because I admired the daughter of a close friend of my mother. I admired her diligence in becoming a Registered Nurse and to be part of the healthcare system.”

Who inspires you?
“My family. We have many resilient people in my family, especially my mom. I admire my family greatly.”

Outside of Eataly, what do you enjoy doing?
“In my free time, I love being with my daughter and my friends. I like anime, and I love to expand my many pop culture collections such as my “Funko Pops!”, which brings me joy. And, of course, I love food – I will never say no to trying something new. In my younger years, I had to cook for the household and developed a palette. To expand my palate further, I would like to travel to other places such as New Orleans to try frog legs and alligator. I’m very adventurous when it comes to food.”