My town

We don't have a town. We live in what most folks outside of North Dakota would think of as, well, rural. (North Dakotans, Alaskans, Montanans, Idahoans- you would think we live in suburbia). There was once a little town, or hamlet or townlet here, Cedar Hill. Thus named because of a hill and a cedar. We had a church, Cedar Hill United Methodist- still there, and a little store on the corner. The little store was torn down about 15 years ago, sadly. So, without the store, we pretty much consist of a church and a curvy spot in the road where if you don't slow down you'll hit the lilacs. The town in which our post office still stands is many miles off to the southeast, on the way to nowhere but itself. Mostly famed for its water tower, which painted a startlingly fleshy pink juts above the treetops like a parody of the Washington Monument and a testament to imagination.
So, "my town" is spread around. I grocery shop in three separate towns, depending on which is nearer my current location when the need for black pepper or almonds is high. Mostly, it is on the way home from work, Girl Scouts, flute lessons,etc. But I am loyal to one location of two institutions; the library and Feed Store. I have written about Faler Feed in a previous blog. Maybe even mentioned Wagnalls Memorial Library.
This makes "my town" Lithopolis. Lithopolis- stone town. There was a quarry here once upon a time. Indeed the library is a testament to this, as it is made of such, and stands like a Gothic fortress on the roadside, full of literary joys. "Litho", as I call it- no one else makes such a diminutive, surely, is a cute little town. Or, perhaps has the potential to be a cute little town. At the top of the main street, on a clear day, you can see The Big City in the distance. There are a dozen or so little shops, including an old general type store with penny candy and overalls. There is a day spa, and several antique or junk shops. There is a sculptor, a local IGA grocery and an old style gas station, with pumps you can't possibly work yourself. Going inside and chatting a requirement. A post office tucks in the outskirts of town and the streets off the main drag are populated by tiny clapboard houses, churches and a school on the hill. There is a police station, and a strictly, happily enforced 25 mph speed limit. A small park with a gazebo in the center and a war memorial stand across from the police station, and the entire town is lined by gaslight lamps that sport e-lec-triss-ty. Now, has anyone seen what is missing here? Correct! Dining. There has been several establishments over the years, but none that make it for more than a year or two. WHY? I am stumped, because I always try them. But I am not "regular" material, so I can't float a restaurant/pub/coffeehouse/lunchroom. Now, anyone that knows the town of Litho, is saying "what about J and R's?" And I agree. What is with J and R's. HOW is it still in business???? A less welcoming place I think you're not likely to find. Going in the first time would take a tremendous leap of faith, or near starvation. Since a picture is worth a thousand words....

Seriously.
I did not photoshop this picture. This is the only successful restaurant in Lithopolis. The biggest mystery of my town. Even bigger than when we found the old quarry deserted behind the library. Bigger than the secret door that leads to the theater in the library. Bigger than where IS the theater in the library.( I mean, I've been in the theater, it is a beautiful old theater, and I can't figure out where it is, when you look at the building, it just doesn't make sense. Yes, I've been in J and R's. I think I must have ordered something, but it is a fog. Literally. There was so much cigarette smoke it was hard to see past the yellowed plastic covering the backlit, over-the-counter menu of sodas and fried stuff.  I was astounded. No windows, full of smoke and plastic chairs. I got something to go and fed it to my children ( I don't give the dog "people" food) as they'll eat just about anything. It's against the law now to smoke in restaurants, so I suppose that will have changed. I can't imagine it changing enough to get me back inside! So, I am fond of my town, just perplexed with the dining. What would work here? I think it has to be inexpensive- the flaw of some previous restaurant attempts. Outside TBC (The Big City) folks don't want to buy a $7.00 sandwich. Comfort food probably necessary, don't think a watercress and chevre roll up would be in demand- although that does sound pretty good, maybe with a pinch of fresh mint. Maybe it just isn't possible. J and R's has all the clientele already?