COLUMBUS, Ohio — Belly Burger in downtown Columbus is serving up burgers —and body positivity.
- Belly Burger promotes an all-inclusive message and an environment where everyone can be themselves
- There’s no judgement and no egos
- It was formerly known as Oliver’s, but the owners wanted a revamp that fell in line with their personal values
“I think our thing is that we just want people to feel comfortable and not feel ashamed of what they’re eating or drinking or doing,” said General Manager Shelly Haynes.
General Manager Shelly Haynes is helping lead the charge.
“The original burger doesn't have cheese but you can add cheese, but you can get them single, double or triple so you can make it massive if you want to," said Haynes.
Belly Burger opened back in November. It was formerly known as Oliver’s, but the owners wanted a revamp that fell in line with their personal values.
“As soon as we were going through the interview process, they were like, we just want people to feel comfortable here, like they can be themselves, and I was like, that’s awesome I’ve been wanting to….not that the other places I worked for before weren’t like that…but they are definitely all-inclusive and they just everyone to feel comfortable and loved and, you know, seen…and seen in a positive light, not seen in a negative light,” said Haynes.
It’s something Haynes can relate to.
“I struggled for a while to accept myself and I want other people to feel that same…it’s ok to look like what you look like, and to not like it is actually ok too. But we want you to feel nice and comfortable here and like nobody’s judging you, because we’re definitely not,” Haynes said.
No judgment and no egos.
“I’m back there cooking right alongside of them whenever they need me…I’ve trained everyone here,” said Haynes.
Like line cook Amora Rose —getting ready for the happy hour rush
“She is awesome and she teaches…well she trains us very well… it’s also the same thing with line cooks, keep our attention, make us feel like we’re important, keep us involved with the show and it’s great, it’s a really nice and warm environment,” said Rose.
Rose also performs in the burger joints’ drag show —one of the many events they offer throughout the week.
It’s something Rose says gave even more incentive to want to work there.
“They’re really open to ideas and they’re really comfortable with helping people expand and it’s a wonderful place to start out,” said Rose.
It’s a feeling and message Hayes and the rest of the staff at Belly Burger hope will resonate with their customers and community for a long time to come.
“Just love yourself and no matter what you look like or who you are we want you to feel welcome here,” said Haynes.
