Usually, my buddy Bonnie and I celebrate our birthdays with a little visit to a favorite antique shop and LUNCH or a day trip to a nearby town to search out antique shops and have LUNCH. However, this year, we decided we could both use a little longer get-away when my birthday rolled around recently.
The inspiration for our trip came from Pat of BACK PORCH MUSINGS! A fellow Missourian with the most wonderful and informative blog, Pat had posted about a new restaurant and home decor shop opening in Troy, Missouri. She wrote that her friends Lori and Greg were the owners and their businesses were located in a building within the historic district of the town. The restaurant, THE ODDFELLOWS CAFE, is housed in what was a bakery at one time and the home shop, ALL ABOUT HOME, is where a bank used to be. The space above the businesses was once the home of the Troy Oddfellows Lodge.
Bonnie, who loves to read blogs as much as I do, read Pat's post and mentioned to me that her husband was born near Troy. She had been there several times some years ago to visit his relatives AND. . . . . . wouldn't it be fun to take a trip East on I-70, for our get-away, and include Troy in that journey!!
Sooooo----last Friday, we loaded up the car and headed East.
Today, I will focus on our visit to Troy----specifically, the restaurant and home store of Lori and Greg's.
When we found the downtown business district, we realized something BIG was happening, as they had the streets blocked off! We wound around and found a parking spot a couple of blocks away and ran into the nicest couple! They explained the event was a vintage car show. They gave us directions to the Oddfellows Cafe and also some ideas of antique shops to hit in the areas we planned on visiting.
It didn't take us long to locate the building we had driven quite a distance to find.
The details of so many old buildings are just exquisite---such as that seen on Lori and Jim's building. I am so glad people continue to breathe life into those structures by maintaining business operations or converting them into places to live. In our area (Kansas City, MO) the old downtown area is now a sea of lofts, created from wonderful old buildings that once were the homes of many a business.
Brace yourselves Lori and Greg. The photo crazy gals are about to open the door to your restaurant and attached shop. We have driven three-hundred plus miles and we are ready to eat and shop! Our reflection says it all!
OHHHHHH---we are ready to try the lunch offerings!
Pat's photos were so much better than mine, but I have to share a bit of the lovely decor! The chandeliers were all different and they were hanging from a tin ceiling.
Black frames graced the exposed brick walls.
A framed book from the 1800's.
I believe it was handwritten minutes from a Lodge meeting. Greg, correct me if I'm wrong. I was pretty overwhelmed by your place and I now know I didn't look closely enough at this treasure.
Old hats adorned the wall, too.
They used wonderful vintage pieces within the dining area!
Oh, and I loved the old silver used for each place setting.
My yummy salad. . . . . . . . .
and the delicious chicken salad croissant---with fresh fruit! So perfect.
Bonnie and I split desserts. On the left was a cherry crepe and on the right was the best bread pudding I have ever tasted.
We polished off our lunch and stepped into the shop.
I mentioned in my last post that THE STONE RABBIT wanted to come on the road trip, too, and I told him I thought he should stay home.
Well. . . . . . . . .Bonnie MADE me bring him.
He fell in LOVE with Lori and Greg's shop, All About Home!
Here he is---still a little tired from his ride, but enjoying his visit to the shop!
In fact, he really liked this pumpkin head guy! You can even see a bit of the car show action through the window.
AND speaking of car show. . . . . . . . . guess who was a judge at the show! Jim, Pat's husband!!!
Greg knew how we found out about their business and told me I might see Jim before we left! Well, it so happened we DID have the pleasure of meeting him. He was very gracious and very busy!! Those folks needed him to get back outside and do his judging job! It was so great to meet him---an extra special part of our visit!
The shop, attached to the restaurant, is just beautiful. Lori has it filled to the brim with wonderful home and gift decor. Fall is showing up in the displays!
I love how they use lots of vintage pieces to show off their wares. It just gives an interesting and comfy feel to the store.
They used old glass-paned doors to create a little divider. You can see more of the vintage mixed with the new!
I can't believe I got away without a copy of this! So fun.
A terrific Halloween candelabra---with prisms, no less!
Bonnie is checking out a cute Halloween plate.
A table full of Halloween items.
A beautiful vignette on top of a lovely old buffet which had been painted white.
These old hammered aluminum trays adorn a wall in the - - - - - - -ladies restroom!
This sweet dresser is in a corner of the restroom as well!
It was dreadfully hot on the day of our visit, so Lori's use of lovely silver letters to spell out this message was very appropriate! The A/C felt terrific inside the shop!
Of course, a group shot was in order before we left. From left to right are Bonnie, Lori, Greg, me and THE STONE RABBIT.
Greg really was happy to see us--I know he was!! I think maybe holding a concrete bunny for several photo shots was not his way of spending a busy Saturday! He was a good sport and we appreciated his thoughtfulness in taking the time to share lots and lots of history about the building.
I promise, Greg,the next time we come to visit you and Lori, you will NOT have to hold a heavy bunny---Bonnie already said she'd do it! :-)
Bonnie and I bagged a bunch of goodies at Lori and Greg's home store!
It was worth every minute "on the road" to visit this fine location and meet such wonderful business owners! They were so hospitable and just down right fun!
On my next post, I'll share some of the wonderful sights of the old Oddfellows Hall---which is above both of their businesses. Greg gave us a wonderful tour and I know you will find it interesting, too!
Greg's niece, Sara, was in charge of carrying the very heavy STONE RABBIT the two blocks back to where our car was parked! Needless to say, THE STONE RABBIT was quite thrilled with the attention---I think he might have been blushing just a little. Sara was so sweet and just one more extra special part of our visit!
DANA
