For a while, I’ve been haunted by a nagging memory of a neat restaurant I ate at with my family during a trip to New England when I was in high school. It wasn’t far off the highway and their gimmick was that with every meal, you got to take home a used book from any of the shelves lining the walls. They also had a used book store in the basement. During our visit, I took Whitley Strieber‘s Communion. Still haven’t read it.
While doing some cleaning up last night, I came across their business card. The restaurant was called The Traveler Restaurant (or Traveler Food and Books) and is on the CT/MA state line in Union, CT, exit 74 off of I-84. And guess what? It’s still around (at least it was as of a couple of years ago and I see no indications that it’s shut down since then). They give away 50 tons of books each year! That’s almost as many as are in Pinger Cat’s living room!
It really is a pretty brilliant idea and a smart gimmick to keep people amused while they’re waiting for food. I look forward to hitting New England again, just so I can stop in for another visit.
Posted in Just Plain Odd
Mom May 7, 2008, 8:33 pm
I told a friend about it in 2006 and she and her family stopped. They loved it! Her kids want to go back.
Cat May 8, 2008, 6:14 am
I read “Communion” many, many moons ago. It scared the crap out of me. Few things are scarier than the pretense of non-fiction. Mothman Prophecies got me too. I mean, I know better, but still. *shiver* I have a lot of Strieber downstairs, and I keep meaning to crack a few.
Heh, I should totally take a picture of the living room.
cheryl May 8, 2008, 6:36 am
I was reading your comments on columbo yogurt and their size. Well have you been in the supermarket lately? Tehy too have reduced their size to 6 oz. like all the other companies. The one thing that made them unique!! Does everything have to get smaller!
feels good to get this off my chest!