The breakfast place is the heart of every community.
You know the ones I’m talking about - the little, locally owned Mom and Pop restaurant that’s only open for lunch and dinner. It’s the place where the coffee is consistently good, and it’s always poured for you by a friendly face that knows your name. And there's pretty much one in almost every town.
There’s nothing better, is there?
I’ve been thinking about those places this week after hearing that one of my favorite places- Young’s Restaurant in Durham is closing for good. I also just read tonight that Benedict’s in Rochester is also closing for good. I didn’t get to Benedicts as often, but when I did- it was always good. They’ve been institutions in their respective towns for a long time.
<sigh> It feels like chipping away pieces of our collective heart.
The breakfast place is where the town news circulated before the local newspaper even hit the stands. It’s the place where yesterday (or last nights) high school games get dissected, and where all the latest gossip got discussed in hushed tones (while hiding their lips behind coffee cups). And at any minute, the empty chair at the table could suddenly be occupied by an old high school friend or former neighbor. You got the city news, which covered everything from road work, to politics, to real estate transactions. If you sat down at the breakfast place, you learned stuff.
It’s the heartbeat of a town.
I always found it interesting that the food almost felt secondary to the place itself. Sure the food was good. But it didn’t have to be great for you to love it. It had to be close to what you’d make at home -which most often isn’t extravagant. What made it special, rather- was the feeling that you were a part of something. You could call the server by name and maybe they even knew what you would order without even having to ask. In the breakfast place - you always felt like you belonged.
I know, I’m sounding like an old man, reminiscing about the “good ol days” - and I guess that’s true. But with the closings of places like this, we’re losing our gathering places. Our communal rallying points. It’s not just here in my town - it’s everywhere. It’s our towns. Sure there are great restaurants that serve amazing breakfasts and stellar coffee. But they aren’t the “breakfast place”. Those places are special in a different kind of way. Their position is not gifted to it the moment the doors open. It’s earned over time. And if nurtured, can last generations.
I will miss Young’s Restaurant. I’ve been going their since the 80’s. It was a great mix of townies and college kids. The staff was lovely, the food was good, the coffee hot, and best of all - it felt like home. What more can you ask for from a restaurant?
The good news is that both Young’s and Benedict’s are closing by choice. They’ve labored long and hard and deserve the rest. My thanks to you both for many years of being such a great part of your community. You became a part of peoples lives for a very long time. The pulse of those towns could be felt every morning you opened the doors for the early risers. You were the breakfast place. God bless you all for that.
This isn’t a farewell to the breakfast place, however. Consider it more of a “changing of the guard”. It’s time for new family owned places to step up and carry the mantle.
And they will. Someone always does.
Because we all need a place to belong.
I look forward to seeing you all there...
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