Downtown Bend Korean restaurant holds ‘Employee Appreciation Day’ after reopening

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Downtown Bend restaurant Yoli was shut down for about a month after a small leak in the wall behind the water closet. The resulting damage shut them down for about a month. Entire walls were torn out and rebuilt in the kitchen. Last week, they reopened.

While many of their employees found part-time jobs for the month, Yoli managed to rehire everyone. Owner and Head Chef Joe Kim said his staff is important to him, because they create the culture that customers enjoy at Yoli.

“The staff has to care." Explained Kim, "The staff has to want to be here. They have to want to be happy. And you know, you can tell if you're somewhere and the employee isn't happy, they're not having a good day. and you can just tell when that their happiness, at least in my opinion, you know, helps convey happiness to the customer. And if they're proud of what they're serving and proud of what they're doing, then it's always going to be better. People are going to want to come back.”

To show his gratitude to his staff, all profits made Tuesday will go to them.

Now that they’re reopened, Yoli also has plans for pop-up events, with guest chefs and cultural cuisine-themed nights.