On the corner of 16th and York the local neighborhood bar, Red Tops sits proudly and has been open for business for 35 years. Owned by Red Top, a 75-year-old gentleman who was brought up in a business oriented family, lives in the suburbs and frequently comes into his bar to greet and mingle with his many regulars and older customers.
For seven years, Jennifer has been behind the bar serving up drinks to her customers with a smile. A Philadelphia native, Jennifer says she enjoys her job because she "likes the people" as well as the conversation and different people who stop in. She also favors the location, "You can get anywhere you want to go on any bus or subway," said Jennifer. When asked how she feels about the neighborhood, she smiles and tells us it is very family oriented, filled with working people who know each other and look out for one another. Her regulars call her "Jenny Poo." However, this past August when Jennifer was working the bar the flash mobs came through the area. Instead of calling the police she decided to stay calm and simply lock the doors and close the bar.
"They just need to get a book and read it, because they have no purpose just power in numbers," said Jennifer on the flash mobs.
Complete with a pool table in the back of the bar, old movies playing on a mounted TV and a Touch Tunes juke box on the wall, Red Tops is a relaxing neighborhood bar to grab a drink and a conversation. Or perhaps a bottle of perfume from two gentleman who sometimes come through the bar selling top brand bottles at cheap prices.
Jennifer along with three other employees work from 5pm to 2am, making sure Red Top's "little baby" is kept in order and making profits.
Lauren Hubbard and Natalie Santoro
North Central
Group #26
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