lattice-work that separated the ticket agent from the passenger and the shallow tin ditch under it were fine for slipping cash in exchange for tickets, but they wouldn't work for coffee.
The restaurant that last occupied the space had used the windows for looks only. Uncommon Grounds II needed them to be functional.
'OK,' I said, 'but let's leave this far right one as a separate window. We'll be using that as an Express Line for just regular coffee, so it should work.' I walked over to the window in question. 'Can we keep some of the lattice-work up top?'
'Sure.' Ronny joined me at the window and knocked on the wooden trim. 'And I can cut this back some to give you more width.'
'Did your layout show a counter there?' I asked, indicating a now blank wall.
'Yes, and a dishwasher and sink, too.'
'Isn't there already a dishwasher and sink?' The space had been a working kitchen and both were required by law.
'There are, but we need to switch things around, so we can build you a storeroom and office behind it.'
Just a couple of essential 'details' I'd forgotten about. 'Thank God you're thinking,' I said, patting Ronny on the arm. 'How could I forget we need an office?'
'The space will look out on the parking lot and you'll lose some square footage in the kitchen, but it should work for you.'
Which reminded me. I needed to call Luc and Tien later, if they hadn't already left me a message.
Ronny turned 180 degrees and swept his hand toward the dark, wooden tables and chairs now in front of the ticket/service windows. 'I'm picturing this area full of small, round tables. Mostly deuces, I think, but maybe a couple of four-tops.'
He was talking about tables for two and four people. 'Have you designed a lot of restaurants?' I asked.
'A few.' He cracked a grin. 'But I bussed tables in a lot more of them while I was in school.'
I got that. 'I did, too, and my son Eric is working in a Minneapolis restaurant right now.'
'Everyone should be on the serving side at least once,' Ronny said. He indicated the front corner closest to the tracks. 'We can put the condiment cart there.'
'Perfect,' I said, impressed. 'That will move people away from the service window, but keep them out of the boarding area.'
The boarding platform was at the far end of a long narrow space that, when combined with the seating in front of the service windows, formed an 'L'.
'I think we should use those tall stand-up tables here,' I said, 'for people who just need someplace to lean or set down a coffee cup while they're getting out their tickets.'
'Great idea.' Ronny made a note. 'That way we won't be putting chairs where people are lining up for departures.'
'God, I hope they do.' I said, sinking into a chair myself.
A puzzled expression. 'You hope they'll queue up for the train?'
'I mean I hope there are enough of them to even form a line.' I was dying for a cup of coffee myself, head cottony from all the wine last night. Not to mention switching to white after we ran out of the pinot noir.
Never mix sugars, Sugar.
'Oh, I think there will be,' Ronny said. 'Enough customers, I mean. That's why Art Jenada is so upset about his lease not being renewed.'
'Somebody was thinking ahead,' I said. 'Was it your father or Vi?'
'My father, probably. The old man liked to make a buck and he was pretty certain the commuter line would be approved.'
'But then your aunt died and her half of the depot went to Sarah.'
"Did it? That must have corked the old man.' Ronny dropped into the chair across from me, looking tired. 'How do you think Sarah is doing?'
I patted his hand. 'Have you forgotten what you told me?'
'I don't think so.'
'Then repeat it.'
'We can't help her with Sam and Courtney,' he parroted. 'All we can do for Sarah is to get things done here.'
He finally looked at me. 'Sorry. I guess I just identify with them.'
'Because of your own mom?' Ronny's mother hadn't died, but abandonment was abandonment, however imposed.
'That, and because we all
The restaurant that last occupied the space had used the windows for looks only. Uncommon Grounds II needed them to be functional.
'OK,' I said, 'but let's leave this far right one as a separate window. We'll be using that as an Express Line for just regular coffee, so it should work.' I walked over to the window in question. 'Can we keep some of the lattice-work up top?'
'Sure.' Ronny joined me at the window and knocked on the wooden trim. 'And I can cut this back some to give you more width.'
'Did your layout show a counter there?' I asked, indicating a now blank wall.
'Yes, and a dishwasher and sink, too.'
'Isn't there already a dishwasher and sink?' The space had been a working kitchen and both were required by law.
'There are, but we need to switch things around, so we can build you a storeroom and office behind it.'
Just a couple of essential 'details' I'd forgotten about. 'Thank God you're thinking,' I said, patting Ronny on the arm. 'How could I forget we need an office?'
'The space will look out on the parking lot and you'll lose some square footage in the kitchen, but it should work for you.'
Which reminded me. I needed to call Luc and Tien later, if they hadn't already left me a message.
Ronny turned 180 degrees and swept his hand toward the dark, wooden tables and chairs now in front of the ticket/service windows. 'I'm picturing this area full of small, round tables. Mostly deuces, I think, but maybe a couple of four-tops.'
He was talking about tables for two and four people. 'Have you designed a lot of restaurants?' I asked.
'A few.' He cracked a grin. 'But I bussed tables in a lot more of them while I was in school.'
I got that. 'I did, too, and my son Eric is working in a Minneapolis restaurant right now.'
'Everyone should be on the serving side at least once,' Ronny said. He indicated the front corner closest to the tracks. 'We can put the condiment cart there.'
'Perfect,' I said, impressed. 'That will move people away from the service window, but keep them out of the boarding area.'
The boarding platform was at the far end of a long narrow space that, when combined with the seating in front of the service windows, formed an 'L'.
'I think we should use those tall stand-up tables here,' I said, 'for people who just need someplace to lean or set down a coffee cup while they're getting out their tickets.'
'Great idea.' Ronny made a note. 'That way we won't be putting chairs where people are lining up for departures.'
'God, I hope they do.' I said, sinking into a chair myself.
A puzzled expression. 'You hope they'll queue up for the train?'
'I mean I hope there are enough of them to even form a line.' I was dying for a cup of coffee myself, head cottony from all the wine last night. Not to mention switching to white after we ran out of the pinot noir.
Never mix sugars, Sugar.
'Oh, I think there will be,' Ronny said. 'Enough customers, I mean. That's why Art Jenada is so upset about his lease not being renewed.'
'Somebody was thinking ahead,' I said. 'Was it your father or Vi?'
'My father, probably. The old man liked to make a buck and he was pretty certain the commuter line would be approved.'
'But then your aunt died and her half of the depot went to Sarah.'
"Did it? That must have corked the old man.' Ronny dropped into the chair across from me, looking tired. 'How do you think Sarah is doing?'
I patted his hand. 'Have you forgotten what you told me?'
'I don't think so.'
'Then repeat it.'
'We can't help her with Sam and Courtney,' he parroted. 'All we can do for Sarah is to get things done here.'
He finally looked at me. 'Sorry. I guess I just identify with them.'
'Because of your own mom?' Ronny's mother hadn't died, but abandonment was abandonment, however imposed.
'That, and because we all
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