He walked to work every day. Maybe it wasn’t as unusual back then as it is today. But Grandpa Ray lived close to the Palace News and was probably halfway there in the time it would have taken to get the car started. I’ve thought more than once how convenient it would be to live in a Rose District loft and just hoof it over to the store.
They’ve finished the Lofts at 222, the new living space above Andolini’s, and contrary to rumors that all the apartments had been leased – the agent who dropped off some brochures indicated there are several still available. I was surprised at the reasonable base rent amount for what I’d heard described as upscale lofts. Maybe I could sell the Firebird and its related expenses and become a walk-to-work-er.
Of course, with a weakness for pizza I’d have a tough time with the pies cooking right downstairs.
They’ve got the name on the exterior, at last, and the big now-hiring banner must be an indication that the opening of the restaurant is at hand. I’ve heard September, which is closer than we realize, the way the time races by.
2015 is more than half-way gone (and I haven’t seen a single Christmas ad yet!) and we’ve already had a hint of some fall-like morning temperatures. No doubt there are plenty more steamy days left, and White Linen Night in the Rose District will give everyone a chance to browse the shops in the cooler evening hours this Saturday.
We’ve had folks eating lunch on the sidewalk this week. (They were actually sitting at the table out there, rather than eating on the sidewalk… Where’s the editor, anyway?) And despite – or maybe because of – the rush for back-to-school readiness, Chef Dustin and I have been hopping at lunchtime.
I look at Grandpa Ray in that old WWII era picture and wonder what he would think about his grandson and great-grandson serving up food and drink like he’s doing there. His place in Parsons, Kansas was very similar to what we have here in the Rose District. (Well, I suppose we do have a little more room to spread out here… everyone looks a little jammed up in the photo.) He sold sandwiches and a cold beer or two. Magazines and what not.
Cigars.
I remember the cigar box as the crayon-and-pencil-holding carry all back in elementary school. Every time that box was opened, I got a blast of Roi-Tan or King Edward. Carrying crayons in a tobacco-product box is probably not politically correct these days, and Grandpa Ray certainly wouldn’t get away with chomping on his cee-gar at the beer tap.
We’ve got Blue Moon on our tap here at the shop, along with a Shiner Bock. Fresh-brewed tea. Soft drinks. And some tasty lunchtime fare.
Come visit!
McHuston
Booksellers & Irish Bistro
Rose District
122 South Main St. Broken Arrow, OK!
