I can't tell you how long it's been going on. I know it's been several years. But I have a habit that I cannot break....its my quiet time in the morning at Panera Bread. Prior to Panera it was Grains and Grinds. I was so very sad when they closed.
I've been a regular customer at 6:15 am at Panera since the day Grains and Grinds closed. Well, thats not exactly true. I did try Victorian Pantry for a while. They walnut coffee there is stellar but they just didn't open early enough so Panera won out. However, lately I've been wondering if it's time for a new location. I keep toying with the new Martin's at Heritage square. Their flavored coffee is pretty good and the upstairs seating might be pretty cool. But today I made my mind up that I'm not changing.
Every morning when I get to Panera Marie is there behind the counter with a smile on her face a good morning to accompany it. Marie is a faithful employee who really steps up to her job. Sometimes I feel sorry for Marie as the line can get pretty long between 6 and 7 am and often Marie is the only one working. Regardless of the stress, she always maintains a pleasantness that you often don't find in a fast food restaurant.
And then there's all the regulars. Some of their names I know and other just their faces. But it doesn't matter. All of us always speak to each other and sometimes try to solve the worlds problems. Though I don't really know many of them well, it would just be weird not seeing them every day. Some have stopped coming in for whatever reason. And some come back after a hiatus. New regulars come and before you know it they're part of the group as well
Course, I do have my favorite place to sit and there was this 'temporary' regular who seemed to always get there before me and nabbed my seat. I got razzed by several of the other regulars for losing my chair to the 'new' guy. Not sure if he was a drifter, in town on a project, or what but he's been gone for a few weeks and I got my chair back!
It was funny a few weeks ago. I had a morning appointment so I didn't get to Panera until around 7am. Randy, one of the regulars was there at 6 and wondered where I was. He came back in a little after 7 to get another cup of coffee and stopped by my chair to 'harass' me about getting there so late.
I get some of my best scripture reading and journaling done when I'm at Panera. Add to that the friendships that have evolved, confirm for me that I don't need a new place. Panera is home.
I've been a regular customer at 6:15 am at Panera since the day Grains and Grinds closed. Well, thats not exactly true. I did try Victorian Pantry for a while. They walnut coffee there is stellar but they just didn't open early enough so Panera won out. However, lately I've been wondering if it's time for a new location. I keep toying with the new Martin's at Heritage square. Their flavored coffee is pretty good and the upstairs seating might be pretty cool. But today I made my mind up that I'm not changing.
Every morning when I get to Panera Marie is there behind the counter with a smile on her face a good morning to accompany it. Marie is a faithful employee who really steps up to her job. Sometimes I feel sorry for Marie as the line can get pretty long between 6 and 7 am and often Marie is the only one working. Regardless of the stress, she always maintains a pleasantness that you often don't find in a fast food restaurant.
And then there's all the regulars. Some of their names I know and other just their faces. But it doesn't matter. All of us always speak to each other and sometimes try to solve the worlds problems. Though I don't really know many of them well, it would just be weird not seeing them every day. Some have stopped coming in for whatever reason. And some come back after a hiatus. New regulars come and before you know it they're part of the group as well
Course, I do have my favorite place to sit and there was this 'temporary' regular who seemed to always get there before me and nabbed my seat. I got razzed by several of the other regulars for losing my chair to the 'new' guy. Not sure if he was a drifter, in town on a project, or what but he's been gone for a few weeks and I got my chair back!
It was funny a few weeks ago. I had a morning appointment so I didn't get to Panera until around 7am. Randy, one of the regulars was there at 6 and wondered where I was. He came back in a little after 7 to get another cup of coffee and stopped by my chair to 'harass' me about getting there so late.
I get some of my best scripture reading and journaling done when I'm at Panera. Add to that the friendships that have evolved, confirm for me that I don't need a new place. Panera is home.
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