For three best friends from Immaculata-La Salle High School, going to work does not mean leaving their friends behind. Seniors Martin, Matteo, and Maxime all work together at Smash Bros in the Edgewater/Biscayne area, turning a normal after-school job into a place where they can work, socialize, and have fun.

Matteo was the first of the three friends to start working at Smash Bros. He had been familiar with the restaurant and decided to apply when he saw they were hiring. The location was also convenient because it was close to his house.

Getting hired took some effort. Matteo did not just submit an application and wait for a response.

“I went there personally and then I filled out an application form, and they never answered me, so I went the next week and asked for the manager. Then, I got an interview, and got the job,” said senior Matteo Merceron.

After working there by himself, Matteo decided the job would be better with some familiar faces around. When asked what made him bring his friends to Smash Bros, his answer was simple: “It was boring and lonely.”

Maxime became the second friend to join the Smash Bros team, and Matteo helped him get the position.

“My friend Matteo actually helped me get my job because he talked to the manager,” said senior Maxime Massat. “He said I was a really good employee and a really hard worker.”

Eventually, Martin joined them, too. Martin wanted to work at Smash Bros because he already ate there often. When he noticed the restaurant was hiring, he decided to apply. Being close to his house made the job even more convenient.

“I wanted a job because it looks good on my college resume, and working with my friends made Smash Bros the right place for me.” said senior Martin Bermudez.

Now, the three friends get to spend time together while still getting their work done. Matteo believes having his best friends around has completely changed his experience at work.

“It feels great because it’s like working with a team, and it makes the job a lot easier,” Matteo Merceron said. “Before, it was a little boring working by myself, but now it’s just a lot of fun.”

For these three ILS students, Smash Bros has become more than an after-school job. It is a place where friendship and teamwork make every shift more enjoyable.