On Sundays, I play guitar at a cafe in Mount Rainer. Mount Rainer is a less wealthy neighborhood in Maryland. The Cafe is located on the ground floor of a building which homes local artists. The current people took over the business around the same time that I moved here. I feel affinity with the cafe because of that. I play for tips and a free meal. (Although, that is not really the reason I play there.) I have heard that several businesses have tried the place in recent years and they have failed. As a result, locals say among themselves that the location is sort of ‘cursed’.
Urban Eats is managed by a mid-age African-American woman named Annette. The first time I met her, I got an immediate vibe that she is not an ordinary woman. She is a fighter! A true fighter! She started the business very well knowing the risks as she told me so. And ever since, she has been trying so hard to make it work. We have been through sweet and bitter. I remember, one rainy day I entered the cafe and found myself the only patron for their Sunday brunch. Except that I wasn’t supposed to pay for it. I tried to pay, but she refused. She said that is ‘the arrangement’ between us.
Last week, I had a gig after a while. It was horrible outside. But to my surprise, there were quite a crowd. I asked her how the business is doing lately. “It is finally picking up!” Annette cheerfully responded. It was a delightful day. I was moved, seeing people enjoying the food, or rather enjoying the Urban Eats Experience. Annette was all over the place.
I am bummed that I won’t be around for much longer in Maryland to witness the story of Urban Eats Cafe. I’m not sure if the rest of the way for her would be all smooth and bump-free. After all, a bump-free road is not that much fun. But, one thing I know is that she has turned the curse into a blessing.
