Favorite Servers: Kylie Blankenship

The Sunshine of the Croissanterie

After two years of serving at the Croissanterie in Little Rock and only 24 years on earth, Kylie Blankenship has become a local personality because of her infectious laugh and genuine passion for customer service.

Blankenship’s adventures in food service began by mashing mix-ins with ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery when she was a student at Joe T. Robinson High School in Little Rock. That early experience set the foundation for her customer-centric approach to serving.

“I fell in love with the whole working situation, just helping people,” she said. “I like [serving] because I can communicate with people and get to know them on a more personal level.

That approach has earned her a loyal following, and some regulars even check on her well-being via text when they do not see her at the Croissanterie. Her passion extends to creating a welcoming atmosphere, and her cheerful attitude and natural talent for hospitality make her a rising star in Little Rock’s casual dining scene.

“When people would come in, I ask them, ‘Do you have socks on? You better hold on to them. This place has been known to knock your socks off,’” she said. “I like to make them feel like they’re part of a family.”

The Croissanterie, a breakfast and lunch eatery known for its French-style pastries, as well as Southern delicacies such as biscuits and gravy, has become a second home for Blankenship. She thrives in the morning atmosphere, enjoying the cozy ambiance and the opportunity to serve coffee all day. Her dedication to her work and her customers has made the self-proclaimed “chronic optimist” an integral part of the award-winning restaurant’s success.

“We have the best food ever,” she said. “I’m just grateful about life, so there’s no reason for me to be in a bad mood.”

Photo by DeWaine Duncan.