Nov
13
Model this…
Posted by nathanael. Filed Under bars | Leave a Comment
Here’s part two of Linda Miskin’s interview with Bill Anthony of the Model Cafe, where they cover origins of the name. Relatedly, I was talking to someone last night who was saying the Model used to be pronounced Mo-dell (like Art Modell) back in the mid 90s. I don’t know if that’s a real thing or a drunken hyperregional neo-pronunciation (like my favorite, the swee-who-lay).
LM: What is the history behind the name Model Café?
BA: When my grandfather and father first opened here, it was toward the end of Prohibition. Until Prohibition was repealed in 1933, they couldn’t sell liquor. The first name they gave the place was North Beacon Lunch. We still have that storefront sign.
Later, as the Great Depression was ending in the early 1940s, the federal government started putting money into cities with the aim of getting people out and about and spending money. It was called a Model Program. My grandfather thought that it was a great name and so named the place Model Café.
This bar has been here since Prohibition. That’s unbelievable.
Nov
10
Rock ‘n’ Roll Social
Posted by nathanael. Filed Under bars, music | Leave a Comment
It’s the 6th anniversary tonight at the Model Cafe, 7-10pm. “come by, bring music, meet more in music community.” Also key, “Free beer, pizza & raffle!”. Ok maybe raffle not so much but those other two will do.
Nov
6
Knowing and being known
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Linda Miskin’s excellent series continues at the Model Cafe, in business for 87(!) years.
On any given night of the week if there are 50 or so people here, I probably know about 30 of them and they know each other. We are grateful for the support we get from our regular customers.
That seems pretty remarkable for an area as transient as this. And beyond that, there’s also the whole novelty vs. regularity thing – I seriously doubt I go into any given bar or restaurant frequently enough to be recognized by the owner. This city has too many new places to try to drink yourself into known-dom.