6 replies to this topic

[gumgum]

On Moss at May.

I've been there several times, but I've never actually eaten anything there but a cookie or a muffin in the morning because I was always on a walk with my dog and baby. But here's my take...

The food is fresh and homemade (based on the aroma, and looking at the dishes people were eating). The coffee (from one of those dumb self-serve pump thermos thingies) is OK.

The women working there are either:
(A) No nonsense, older ladies, that don't make a fuss about being polite or friendly because they're too busy making gooood coookin'.
(B) Friendly and welcoming, but I've actually misread their demeanor for something close I would interpret as bitter and angry at the world.
© It's just too hot in there for anyone to be friendly to anyone.
(D) The women working there are just bitter and angry *****es.

Has anyone actually eaten there on this forum? I'm tempted, but the prickly manner of the staff puts me off.
Anyone?

[G-Man]

I had a soup and sandwich there about 7 years ago and considered it average.

[gumgum]

Went there last week and had a curried egg-salad sandwich and and sweet onion soup and it was pretty good. My wife had a turkey and cranberry cheese melt and it was very tasty.
The service was much friendlier today. There were actual smiles and greetings as I approached the counter to take my order. I'm pretty sure the two women working there were different people than the people I had been dealing with in the past.

[Ms. B. Havin]

I saw the following notice pasted to the window of the Moss Rock Cafe:

Moss Rock Cafe Closing

On Saturday, April 19th, we were informed that the provincial government has leased the entire building and we must vacate by the end of May.

We've had 12 wonderful years as your neighborhood cafe. There are no words to convey how grateful we are and how blessed we feel by the support and friendship we have received over the years by this community. To all of our regulars and to all of you who found your way to this little neighborhood oasis, we say thank you and merci!

A special thanks is addressed to Bruce Mitchell, the previous owner of this building. Bruce's generosity and community spirit allowed us to stay in business as long as we have. Had leasing circumstances been different, the new owner would have kept us on in much the same way as Bruce did. It appears the universe has other plans for this space and for its staff.

We will be open at least until the 28th of May providing the same wonderful food and hope to see you until then.

Everything will be up for sale so if you see something you want, make us an offer. We will have a neighborhood cafe sale on May 30th and 31st as there is no way we can use up all our supplies by then.

By the way, if you need a really good cook, Helene, the owner, will be available soon...

So they learned yesterday that they were being evicted, and the businesses kitty-corner (Hemma, Con Brio Music, Shampoo Hair Bar) immediately organized a petition to protest Moss Rock Cafe's eviction.

The Ministry that wants the whole building is the Education -- allegedly, they claim that they need the whole building for "security" purposes, although I'm not sure what that's supposed to mean. Sounds like an excuse. Besides, it's possible to partition the cafe from the internal hallway access.

Those of you who know the area can sympathize that this is a short-sighted move. This is the only food service in the area (other venues are in Cook Street Village, at Thrifty Mall, or fish & chips at Moss & Fairfield). It seems like a natural fit to have a small restaurant that serves breakfast & lunch in a building that houses office workers, no? In addition, this place really is popular with locals/ the neighbourhood. It's a community hub, serves as a bulletin board for events, that sort of thing. It adds, hokey as it may sound, vibrancy to that corner.

If you're a fan, go sign the petition -- available at the cafe itself, as well as at the above-named businesses.

I have to say that I think evicting the Cafe is the wrong move. That corner is actually coming together, finally, with a couple of neat shops, which are popular with the neighbours, and the cafe would certainly fill a need with the Ministry workers who will move into that location. Why shift the service out?

[Holden West]

My rule is that if you aren't providing a necessary public service that requires ground floor access, you have no business occupying that valued retail space, especially in a village centre. Jeez.

[gumgum]

What the hell???
That is ridiculous.
What is the ministry going to do with a cafe space?
I'm assuming they're planning on taking the whole space on that ugly 90's office building right on the corner?
Seems an odd place for a government office. Besides, as Ms. B. says, the workers would benefit from a little cafe next door.

[Nparker]

This seems like an absurd location for a government office. Does anyone know why the Ministry of Education wants to lease space here?