I think was the first customer when I arrived at 8:20 am. My feeling was that the place was big, and didn’t deserve to be so empty (but it was early, they only open at 8). Besides the staff, there were a few teenagers/young adults hanging out (which was nice, but kind of disappointing that some had Dunkin Donuts coffee cups). Since my friend who was going to join me had to cancel I brought a book. However, it’s definitely a place for conversation and people interaction, less so for reading or studying. It is a bit cavernous, and no music was playing, so the acoustics were echo-ey. I half-read and half-listened to the conversation (and breaking into song) of the staff and teenagers. The things going on in their lives are markedly different than what I hear from my students, my usual reference mark for people that age. (There was talk about being parents, and working to beat the stats of getting stuck in poverty as a young person with a child. If these things come up at my college, its in an academic discussion.) A change from my usual circle, change is good.
Now I sound like a horrible eavesdropper. Anyway, over the forty-five minutes I was there a dozen or so older adults came in and the young people’s conversations quieted down because of that. It looked like they were starting a meeting, board meeting was my thought. Which brings me to my reservations about this café - according to what I understood from their website, it’s run by a Christian ministry. I’m a non-believer, and religion makes me uncomfortable. Indeed, there were a couple of inspirational religious signs, and a bookshelf full of religious books for sale. However, it wasn’t overpowering and ultimately not a big deal. They have started selling Chick-Fil-A on Fridays, which makes me more uncomfortable – my impression is the Chick-Fil-A is run by a religious family that is also homophobic. But, whatever. If a gay friend of my husband’s can post his excitement over a Chick-Fil-A opening in his town on Facebook (“I know, I know… but they are so delicious!”) then I can deal with it.
I had two scrambled eggs, toast and coffee. All fine, and cheap – under $6.50 for everything. One other guy came in for breakfast, everyone knew him, he seemed a regular. (good sign). When I left I told the staff I really liked their café, but that they needed some music. This was met with a bunch of “Yeah, we know” – they are pro-music. The young woman who made my breakfast explained that they were just transitioning from holiday music (which they all seemed glad was done). We’ll see what they’ve got on next time I’m there.
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