No matter how many individuals appear in the pages of each edition of Keys Weekly, there are always so many more of our community members who deserve to be recognized. In an effort to shine a spotlight on more of the incredible individuals who live and work in these islands, Keys Weekly is proud to spotlight our Neighbor of the Week feature, dedicated to celebrating a community member with each issue.
This week’s neighbor always keeps a sharp eye out for her regulars as she works her shifts at Sunset Grille & Raw Bar. As a few of them told the Weekly, she practically has their orders put in by the time they sit down. And she does it all with an insanely busy work schedule: rising at 4 a.m. to take the bus down from Homestead, she works a full shift at Sunset before moving over to her second job at Home Depot, taking the bus home at 9 or 11 p.m. before heading to bed around midnight and doing it all over again.
LEISA SHAW
Server, Sunset Grille & Raw Bar
How did you originally come to the Keys? I was living in New York with my husband, and it wasn’t working out. My sister was working at Hawks Cay, so I left him and came down here. I was at Hawks Cay for six years, and when they closed after the hurricane I came over to Home Depot. While I was applying there, I heard about Sunset Grille and they hired me on the spot. I’ve been working both jobs for the last six and a half years now.
What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever seen on the internet? I saw this guy who dressed his dog up with blonde hair, a bandana around the dog’s head, a tank top and a mini skirt. The dog was bobbing to some music.
What’s your best “hot take?” I like chicken and fish, but I don’t like red meat.
If you’re having a bad day, what’s the best way to cheer you up? I just think, “OK. People are out there having a worse day than me. I’m in a good spot, I have two jobs, and this is a beautiful place to work.” That cheers me up. I don’t really complain because I have two jobs and I’m in good health.
If you could shop for free at any store, which one would you pick? Prada.
What’s one thing most people don’t know about you? Because my daughter is a good cook, they think she cooks all the time, but I’m a good cook if I want to be.
The title of my autobiography would be … “It’s My Life.”
What is your most embarrassing moment ever? This lady used to always come in here and give me a good tip. One day, she gave me some 20s that were all stuck together. I didn’t count it properly and said, “Oh, you forgot to tip me.” She was like, “No…” I had to go back and peel them apart. She always leaves me a great tip, and I was so embarrassed.
Would you rather always have to sing instead of speaking or always have to dance everywhere you went? Sing, because sometimes I do that anyways when I go to my tables.
What’s one thing that’s on the menu that you never want to try? Oysters.
If there was one chore you could have taken away from you forever, what would it be? Laundry. I hate doing laundry.
If you could be any character from a TV show or movie, who would it be? Angela Bassett from “How Stella Got Her Groove Back.”
