The Reader’s archive is vast and varied, going back to 1971. Every day in Archive Dive, we’ll dig through and bring up some finds.
Selle put the Coffee Club up for sale with an ad in the Reader. Phil Tadros, then a 21-year-old Columbia College student, bought the place and in August 2000 opened the first coffee shop in what would become a much-maligned empire of food and beverage businesses.
“I asked them if they would put a mustache on the Mona Lisa,” Don said. “They looked at me like I was crazy.”
Phil said he’ll have a revamped menu when he reopens this weekend. He will serve espresso and cappuccino, as well as sandwiches, salads, and a variety of other items.
“I’m gonna slice my own meat,” Phil said.
Don looked alarmed.
“With a meat slicer?” he exclaimed. “Slice your meat? Ohhhhhhh! Nooooooo! Don’t slice the meat. Buy it. You’ll get busy and slice your finger off. It would be fabulous, God, but meat slicing is a pain in the ass. I’m telling you. I once ran a deli for a friend of mine. It was horrible.”
“Well, Don,” said Phil, “that’s a risk I’m going to have to take.”
