On a weekday afternoon, there’s a comforting buzz at the Pin & Cue.  

Behind the bar, Ashley Minor is shaking up two Caesars – one of her specialties – when another customer comes in and orders four drinks.  

Minor smiles, giving each customer deserving attention. An employee of 10 years, she handles multitasking with grace.  

She pauses mid-serving. A customer lends her some lip gloss and from behind the bar, and she poses for a portrait to celebrate winning best bartender in the annual Best of Whitefish competition.  

“Ashley!” Cheers an eavesdropping regular. “You won! Congratulations!”  

The friendly patron swoops in front of the camera with a huge hug. 

Minor later said, “I have a lot of regulars. They’re like family. We’re all so close here. And when a business is run this way, it makes it easier to be here.” 

Minor has lived here since she was 15, when she moved from Chicago. She has a 12 and a 14-year-old who also find home at the Pin & Cue. Her mom Debbie is a long-time Pin & Cue employee as well. 

“They’re great with my kids,” Minor said. “They’re the best people I could ever imagine working for, ever. The owners, and the customers, is what keeps me working here.” 

Sometimes it’s challenging serving the bowling alley, casino, restaurant and bar all at once, she said, but she leans on her communication skills with the customers to keep her moving.  

Minor was unaware she was also in the running for the Best of Whitefish best server category. Her fourth place gives kudos to her humility and multitasking abilities.  

Both awards are no surprise to her patrons, though. Minor likes cracking jokes and spreading joy.  

“I like it to be an experience for people coming in,” she said. “I like to see everybody leave witht a smile on their face.”