Written by Tiane Davis
Slader’s Alaskan Dumpling Co. hosted a birthday party for Harry Styles at their main location Feb. 1.
Sophomore Jiana Manglicmot, who recently became an events coordinator at Slader’s with junior Malachi Brown, said the party was the second event she and Brown had planned together.
“This, so far, has been my favorite Slader’s event, just because it’s so fun and super lowkey,” Manglicmot said. “I am excited for events to come.”
Sophomore Molli Ellis, who works weekend shifts and helps run social media at Slader’s, said the event was a great way to bring people to Slader’s who might not have ever been inside before.
“I think it’s really cool,” Ellis said. “We haven’t really had any events that are planned like this, so it’s really fun, especially since it gets a lot of people in the shop and talking about it.”
Junior Dawson Teague, who attended the party, said he went because he is a huge fan of Harry Styles and because Slader’s offered a free slice of cake with the purchase of dumplings as part of the birthday party.
“I’ve been to tons of his shows, and I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and honor him and the legacy that he has set and continues to set through all of his inspiring music and actions,” Teague said. “It was super fun.”
Teague said the atmosphere at Slader’s is not like a typical sit-down restaurant where one would sit down, eat and leave.
“It’s kind of the same vibes as Midnight Oil — a fun, lowkey place where people go to do homework and play games,” Teague said. “It feels more like a homey kind of environment.”
Like Teague, Manglicmot said Slader’s has always been a good place for students to spend time at, and she has wanted it to be a more regular hangout place for Harding students.
“I think it’s really exciting because for the longest time I’ve known the potential of this place,” Manglicmot said. “I’ve known that it’s just a really good vibe.”
Manglicmot said the work environment is welcoming for all the employees, as well.
“Me and Malachi, and I’m sure a lot of other employees, even when we’re not working here, we come and hang out and bring our friends,” Manglicmot said. “That’s not something you get out of a lot of other workplaces. We’re just really excited to be making this place known.”
Manglicmot said another thing she enjoys having at Slader’s is pop-up shops for small businesses. She said hosting events for small businesses is great because she knows it can be very helpful to the business owners, as well as the restaurant itself.
Manglicmot said she and Brown have been planning events with the goal of making Slader’s a better hangout place and that monthly karaoke nights are a possibility.
“Everything is in the works, but there’s a lot to look forward to,” Manglicmot said
