Visited the Main Street Coffee House last night...

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Yes, the Main Street Coffee House has re-opened. Last night was the "Grand Re-Opening". Supposedly there was live music and the rumor was that it would devolve into an open mic before it was all over, but the people in charge last night decided to shut everything down at nine o'clock. Don't hold that against them, though: they're still working things out and even though they shut down early they're already doing more things right than wrong.

The man who bought it, Ken McClain of McClain Brothers Realty, also owns Ophelia's, Café Verona, the Pharaoh Cinema, Gilbert Whitney...in short, most of Independence Square. He bought, refurbished and reopened the coffee house as a place to train his interns. He raised the stage a bit, took out that useless baby grand piano, and put in Roasterie Coffee instead of the nasty shit the shop used to serve.

For Roasterie, I'll forgive them some opening night problems. It is obviously a place that intends to make money and succeed. I'll support them every step I can.

Michelle and I , sans-children for the evening, had dinner, watched the beginning of Tale of Despereaux (charming!), and then went to MSCH. When we entered we found all the usual and familiar suspects: Larry, who finds guitars for people (including mine); Mark, a phenomenal musician and the other member of the DADGAD contingent; Ben, the local drummer; Russ, former owner of MSCH, way back when it first opened; and Bob Lewis.

What? You don't recognize Bob Lewis? Founding member of the band Devo, now a lawyer in Independence. No shit.

Anyway, friendly and very grounded, Bob was there. Got to meet him, finally. I've seen him around, of course, he loves the coffee shop - or at least the idea of it - as much as the rest of us, and he's been to a few open mics, though I've never seen him pick up a guitar.   We chatted for a little while. I imagine I'll see him again.

Apparently I'd been the subject of some conversation just prior to walking in, and The Group called the manager over and said, more or less with one voice, "This is the guy we were telling you about." In positive terms, apparently. I gave him my name, number and email address with a promise to do a concert at some point in the near future.

That felt good, to be the subject of a positive conversation by men I respect.

Should any concerts be forthcoming, I'll be sure to post them here, of course.