catapult magazine

Last night the world has been deprived of one of its best little cafes. Edmonton’s tiny New York Bagel Cafe, along with its neighboring old wood buildings burned down in a tragic fire. I’m really sad about it. The place had 4 tables—two non-smoking, two smoking, right next to each other. My friend Mike had a crush on the waitress (there were only 2) who always had her underwear showing. I liked the one with the sad smile. But they were too old for us :) Anyway, not much to talk about except that there aren’t enough places like NY Bagel in the world and I’m bummed that it had to burn down.

http://canada.com/national/story.asp?id=%7B8A8D13E0-A400-4CD6-A1EC-E6B320C51E90%7D

we had a great little diner in downtown lansing, illinois called kathy’s. we ate breakfast there every friday morning when we were in high school and then as many saturday mornings as possible after we graduated (when we were in town).

it closed last year because the owner/cook finally decided he was too old to be running a restaurant every day of his life. understandable, but it was still a great loss for the community.

so i know a little how you’re feeling dan. although fire is certainly a harsher way to go . . .

Isn’t it funny how little places become such a part of you. Mine is not a homey little coffee shop but a neighbohood ice cream place called Sub Zero. Run by a mother and daughter otherwise known as the Ice Cream Nazis. They were only open from March to October which by Winnipeg standard pushes the ice cream window anyway. But they were the only employees for many years (aside from some terrified high school students who never lasted long) and barked out demands for orders and commands to keep the door closed. But people kept coming back and lined up down the street because they had the best soft ice cream, large portions, and also served something called Liscensed to Chill. Soft ice cream with real liquour in it. The owners were actually very nice people if you got to know them at a less busy time and they even did special orders for our kids when they were young. But they got tired of working for 6 months straight so sold it to another person who has made it slick and congenial and cutsey and we don’t go there anymore.