Samantha Swanson, known to regulars as “Sam at the Dam,” stands behind the bar at the Dam Landing, where she serves as head manager. Photo by Libby Hubbard.

By Libby Hubbard
InkFreeNews

ROCHESTER — For Samantha Swanson, better known to many locals as “Sam at the Dam,” bar tending isn’t just a job — it’s a way of building community.

Swanson, 30, has spent the past eight years working at The Dam Landing, where she now manages day-to-day operations.

A Caston High School graduate, she grew up in the service industry, learning the ropes from her mother, a long-time waitress.

Swanson said the experience shaped how she approaches her work today —with empathy, energy, and an eye toward hospitality.

“I used to go to work with her when I was 4,” Swanson said. “I watched her manage tables and treat everyone like they mattered. Now, I try to do the same.”

Though she graduated from nearby Caston High School, Swanson said she found the fresh start she was looking for in Rochester, moving after high school, while discovering a new home and a long-term role behind the bar.

“I was feeling lost without being in the industry,” she said. “I didn’t even have phone service at the time. I printed out mapped directions to get to my interview.”

That leap of faith turned into a career, and Swanson’s role has grown from bartender to manager, mentor, and problem-solver. She estimates she now works 50 to 55 hours per week during peak season.

Her leadership philosophy centers on mental health, teamwork, and mutual respect.

“We’ve worked hard to build a place where people want to work,” she said. “A happy staff creates a happy business.”

Swanson said she and fellow manager Emily have created internal systems to support staff well-being, reduce stress, and encourage open communication. She emphasized that staff buy-in is essential.

“We want people who genuinely care about their job and the people they’re working with,” she said. “One person with the wrong attitude can bring the whole place down.”

She describes herself as a millennial and said she sees differences in how younger generations interact with customers, especially in a world driven by screens and point-of-sale technology. But she sees potential, too.

“They may not have grown up in this kind of work, but I hope I can show them how much of a difference sincerity makes,” she said. “An apologetic smile goes a long way.”

Swanson lives in an apartment above the restaurant, which allows her to stay closely involved and quickly respond when needed.

That arrangement, along with the relationships she’s built in town, has reinforced her decision to stay in Rochester long term.

“I never expected to call this place home, but I do,” she said. “The people here make every second worth it.”

Swanson doesn’t currently volunteer due to her work schedule, but said she sees her role as a form of community service. She prides herself on knowing regular customers by name, order, and story.

“Somebody might come in needing a beer and a hug,” she said. “I can give them both.”

For Swanson, it’s about more than drinks — it’s about presence, compassion, and treating every customer like they matter.

“I could look at myself as just a bartender, but I wouldn’t be where I am if that’s all I was,” she said.

A 2013 graduate, Swanson has spent more than a decade in the food and beverage industry and now averages 50 to 55 hours per week during the summer season.