Piper Dining Room Staff

Pat Eldean

Patricia Eldean

Piper Owner and General Manager

The Piper’s owner and general manager is Pat Eldean. Pat opened the Piper Restaurant to complement Eldean Shipyard, which is owned by her husband, Herb. In the course of 22 years, the restaurant has had one major revision. For the first 12 years, it was the Sandpiper, an up-scale fine dining restaurant, which won several awards including the best restaurant in West Michigan. In 1997, it became the Piper, a more casual place where guests felt comfortable visiting more frequently and spending less money.

Over the years, Pat has maintained her love for the hospitality business. She enjoys finding ways to enhance the dining experience. Nothing could be more challenging, more diverse and more fun. Pat tremendously enjoys her young and talented staff. She is thrilled to meet former staff (or their parents), and they share how their job at Sandpiper/Piper made a real difference in their lives.

Pat likes variety in everything—how she chooses to rest, exercise and have fun…. She says, “I love cooking and I like diversity in food. I don’t have a favorite recipe because I get bored. I want new flavors, and I like trying new things. I like to read and enjoy all genres of books. I really enjoy my grandchildren, Ryan 15 and baby, Alexander.”

Pat with Chef Keaton

Another interest of Pat’s is travel. Her goal is to try to go to the spots in the world that haven’t been overrun with tourism. But of course, that’s getting hard. I guess you could say she is passionate about having variety in all areas in life.

Julie Harkema

Piper Event Coordinator

A long-term staff member, Julie Harkema is our Event Coordinator. This position is a natural fit for Julie since she has a passion for helping people and having fun.

Since August of 2002, she has calmed blushing brides, anxious grooms and nervous parents through hundreds of weddings, receptions and rehearsal dinners. She is the ultimate "mistress of ceremonies."

Julie began her Piper career as a server and bartender and moved into her position of Event Coordinator in 2002, forfeiting her job as a Zeeland High School diving coach.

Her family is quickly expanding and is capturing more of her unlimited energy. She is married to Brian; mother to Dria, Danielle and Tony; stepparent to Riley and Mason and grandmother to three beautiful granddaughters. Besides her family as her number one interest, Julie enjoys golfing, traveling and entertaining.

If you would like to have Julie help plan reception or any special event at The Piper, contact her at Julie@PiperRestaurant.com.

Crystal Calkins

Piper Dining Room Manager

Crystal Calkins has been Piper's Dining Room Manager since January of 2008. Her love for the restaurant business began when she was 15, working as a dishwasher, and worked up to server and bartender. She has a passion towards great food and drink and loves meeting the variety of people that come to The Piper.

Residing in Hamilton, Crystal and husband, Brad, spend much of their time helping at sporting activities such as soccer and baseball. Crystal is a proud and dedicated mother of two active boys: Avery, nine-years-old and Jaxon who is eight.

Their family enjoys great food, and a lot of time is spent in the kitchen together creating their meals. "I feel fortunate that I am able to work for such an excellent restaurant as The Piper."

Staff Schedule