Uplifting story time:

Last summer (2022) a new restaurant opened in my town. On Main Street. This place should have gone gang-busters as it was right after lockdowns were easing up. Liquor license. Waterfront. Outdoor seating. Live music, fire pit and take-out. Locals hungry to get out and support local.

Everyone I knew who tried it said the food was very good and the cocktails fancy. The only complaint was the rather disengaged hipsters waiting tables. But eh—it’s a spankin new establishment—right?—maybe they we’re learning their rhythm..? But everyone was giving them a chance and supporting them.

Then, In June they hung Budweiser-campaign-rainbow-banners all over their waterfront downtown windows and a big proud alphabet barf triangle on the door…and…

You could hear an audible train wreck , I swear: as the place then remained silent and empty for the entire rest of the summer.

Around the corner a local Hispanic family whom had been selling homemade tamales out of a truck went brick-n-mortar. Within weeks you couldn’t get a table in the tamale house without a 40 min wait on a weeknight.

The pride cafe remained empty.

A second Tex-mex cafe opened 2 doors from Pride-flag-cafe, selling nothing but tacos. They went ballistic—often selling out of some items just doing takeout.

Cafe-Pride-flaggots couldn’t be bothered to post their hours or info anywhere in sight. You had to hunt it down on social media if you wanted to see when/if they may be open. The windows were always dark, and empty. Sometimes a brooding hipster girl in apron would stand at the door staring down at her phone, looking pissy.

👉It was such an epic death to watch.👈

By October 2022 they were gone. The place was sold to another restauranteer and rebranded over the Christmas season. They reopened spring of 2023 as a “home-cooked southern” food place with drinks. I’ve been in only once, to get takeout and try it. Seemed pricey but tasty. The butch girl who served me was also helping in the kitchen. I left her a nice tip. I hoped they’d make wise business choices based on the customers and the quaint town they are in.

But this week I saw a rainbow abomination flag suddenly appear over the storefront. Ha. June will be super fun to watch now as I go to get my tacos. 🤣

TLDR: before Dylan Mulvaney was pride month. F around. Find out. small town USA edition.