Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:26:29 -0500 (EST)
From: Doug Lorie
Subject: General Store Passages

I was taking a hiatus from teaching and had just injured my shoulder while working as a punch-list carpenter. I was in a familiar place emotionally, feeling at a dead end about my options for work. That was precisely the time when Mimi Sharpe asked me to be a guest chef at The General Store. Two weeks later we had negotiated my temp position into a full time job. If there ever existed a thing like serendipity or synchronicity or the unviverse giving you something that was wanted or needed….for me that job was it.

Having lived in New Mexico and having fallen in love with a certain Green Chile Burrito, I knew that it was the first thing I wanted on the menu. The 2nd thing was a Middle Eastern Platter. It dind’t take long for all of my favorite vegetarian dishes to make it onto the menu, Pesto Pasta, Foccacia Pizza, Palak Paneer and J erk Tempeh. The folks who bought The G eneral Store from Mimi, Richard McGough and Becket Royce, became such amazing bosses.. While their personal savings were being depleted they allowed me to have the most satisfying work experience of me life. T he kitchen back then was configured in such a way that I could see my customers and connect with them while I was cooking. I could never be one of those chefs cloistered away in the hot confines of a kitchen that was totally disconected from the people coming in  to eat.  It was very hard, deadline rich and physical work, but I als o played like a kid spoofing MacDonald’s by counting every Green Chile Burrito I made and sold. Richard and B ecket went way beyond the call of duty by taking over for me in the kitchen while I took two separate trips to Peru and India. I will forever be grateful to them for the ways they sacrificed for me.  This job remains for me the best job of my life.

Vance and Joyce took the business to another level , constructing a performance theater , building a state-of-the art kitchen and providing space for local artists. I charge someone to tell me which 2 square inches of space in The G eneral Store C afe  were not being used to help artists sell their work.

I don’t know how anyone makes a profit in the restaurant business or keeps from getting totally burnt out. The hours are gruelling and  the overhead is huge. I often think that the only sure money makers are fast food stores. But with any of those places you have to sell your soul and merge all semblance of personal identity into the collective identity of the franchise. T he General Store Cafe was…and I am sad using the past tense…a brilliant magnet for community. I am happy to have had a small part in being able to give something to Pittsboro and  facilitating a bit of  that community experience. Among the wonderful things that Joyce and Vance sold over the years….their soul wasn’t one of them.

Doug Lorie

Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:08:59 -0500
From: Lisa Piper
Subject: Small B&B Cafe

Color me tired and scattered. I forgot to tell folks where we’re located. We’re at 219 East St. in Pittsboro. Just 2 blocks east of the courthouse.  Open 7:30 to 2 p.m.Wednesday thru Sunday except Christmas Day.

Lisa Piper/Dave Clark

Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2011 08:12:45 -0800 (PST)
From: Linda Bienvenue
Subject: Small Street Cafe

My husband and I just visited the Small Street Cafe this morning for breakfast.   We couldn’t be more pleased.    The cafe is homey and inviting, Lisa and Dave are friendly and most importantly — the food is wonderful.   Stop by and see the wonderful new addition to Pittsboro and wish them well.   We are glad we did!   Welcome to Pittsboro and much success.

Linda Bienvenue

Date: Tue, 27 Dec 2011 11:40:49 -0500
From: Sandra Gabor
Subject: Greek Kouzina

A few weeks ago my husband and I decided we should try having lunch at Greek Kouzina on a Sunday after church. Neither of us wanted to go to any of the places we usually go for Sunday lunch when neither of us wants to cook and we don’t have a lot of time, so we decided to give Greek Kouzina a try.

We were delighted with our experience there. We were greeted enthusiastically by two young men who looked and sounded like the warm and hospitable Greek families we had known when we lived in northeastern Ohio. The place smelled great. They had actual plates of their menu items on display to help us choose our lunch, which was then prepared fresh and served very promptly. It was delicious. We were sorry we’d waited so long to try it, and will definitely be going back there to try the other dishes they offer.

Try it if you haven’t already. The place was immaculate,  the food simple and authentic, the service quick and friendly.  Greek.  Fast, but the real deal.

Sandy Gabor

Date: Tue, 27 Dec 2011 20:34:37 -0500 (EST)
From: shellgardens
Subject: Greek cuisine

The Greek Kouzina restaurant, is “Healthy, Fresh & Light” just as advertised. 

I ordered the vegetarian platter for dinner tonight.  It was delicious & reasonably priced.  I especially liked the fact that they offered hot tea with my meal.  The music set the romantic Greek mood and the restaurant was exceptionally clean.  The owner Mohammed was attentive & his staff was efficient at connecting me to the internet as well as delivering the food quickly.  The experience was very warm & welcoming.  Check it out yourself.  You will not be disappointed for ambiance, cleanliness & a tasty Greek meal. 

Their address is 964 East St., Pittsboro, NC 27312. Phone:  919-542-9950

Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:05:31 -0500
From: Tyndall Harris
Subject: Greek Kouzina Restaurant

I am writing to tell my fellow Chatamites about my experience at Pittsboro’s new restaurant, Greek Kouzina, located at 964 East Street.  I waited to write until after I had been there twice.  

I was positively impressed on both visits.  I had the Kouzina Platter with both chicken and beef.  My daughter had the same platter with lamb and my wife had a Chicken Pita Sandwich.  All of us were impressed with the freshness of the food and the excellent flavor of the seasonings used.
 We really enjoyed the tzatziki sauce and the hummus with the skewered meats.  The salad was fresh with a very good dressing.  I recommend Greek Kouzina highly and hope my fellow Chathamites will give it a try.  

One other note — I appreciate their hours — open until 9pm weeknights.  The owner and staff are all very accomodating and friendly. Give ‘em a try!

Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2011 07:56:49 -0500
From: Lisa Piper
Subject: Small B&B Cafe Finally Opening!

The day is finally here! Our doors will open Monday morning at 7:30 a.m.! Monday and Tuesday will be our Meet and Greet for the public before we open fully on Wednesday. We’ll have free coffee and cookies and a limited menu for breakfast and lunch.So come for a minute or stay for a meal. Meet Dave and Lisa (the owners) and talk to us about what you want in a community cafe.

The local farmers/producers who will be featured will be Wild Dog Farms for their chicken and duck eggs, Chicken Bridge Bakery for their incredible breads, and Granite Springs Farms for their produce. We’re talking with more local producers so stay tuned on that front. We’ve also just finished a batch of stone ground mustard for our sandwiches that uses the Duck Rabbit Milk Stout beer and local sorghum and honey.

Some of the things we’re planning for Monday are maple pecan scones, shitake and gruyere quiche, creamy curried carrot soup with orange, beef soup/stew made with red wine and veggies, and a 3 layer monstrosity of a dark chocolate cake made with the Milk Stout beer.

Gift certificates will be available for great Christmas presents.

Lisa Piper/Dave Clark

Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2011 13:07:37 -0500 (GMT-05:00)
From: Marian Wall <marianwall@mindspring.com>
Subject: New General Manager at Chatham Marketplace

You will be seeing a new face at Chatham Marketplace this week. Our general manager,  Mary DeMare, will be leaving her position in order to pursue an exciting opportunity.  She is going to help her brother campaign for Senator in Ohio. Mary has been a part of our community for 6 ½ years and we will miss her.  We wish her well on her new journey.

The Board of Directors has been hard at work conducting a national search for a replacement for Mary.  A decision has been made to hire an interim general manager while the Board continues searching for a permanent replacement.  We are happy to welcome Phil Guida as interim General Manager.  Phil has spent the past five years in Minnesota and recently moved back to North Carolina.  He is a long time veteran of the Co-op world and has over 25 years experience.

Phil will be in the store beginning Monday, December 12, working with Mary and our staff to assure a smooth transition.   Come by and welcome Phil to our amazing community.

Date: Mon, 5 Dec 2011 21:31:22 -0500
From: MarkBeth Morton
Subject: Diana’s Tex-Mex Restaurant

My family are very fond of Diana’s Tex-Mex resturant.  We ditto everything Phyllis Thomas said in her previous message.  The food is awesome, service quick, and friendly wait staff.  The food is authentic and delish!  Yummy! 

Servants of Jesus,

Mark and Beth Morton
Co-Directors The Kid’s Warehouse/House of Israel Mission

Contact Information:
(919)542-6159
Email:   ebm87@msn.com
Website: www.TheKidsWarehouseinc.com

Date: Tue, 6 Dec 2011 09:39:06 -0500
From: Lynn Hayes
Subject: General Store Cafe

Hi y’all,

Since I was one of the complainers about the GSC I wanted to be sure to give a shout out to the new and improved customer service there.  I’ve had dinner there twice in the past month or so and met a friend for coffee, and all three visits have been nothing short of wonderful, the old General Store I used to love.

So thanks to all the GSC folks who are working on making Pittsboro a place we can all love.

best wishes,
Lynn Hayes