Bring back that lovin' feeling

Bad news, Eureka coffee klatches, the last bread out of the Lovin' Oven hits the pastry case this weekend. Alas, my bud was just rejoicing that he had until Nov. 19 before having to bring his own coffee and sit outside on the deck. ...Now he'll have to rustle up that thermos a little sooner than expected. Owner/manager Heather said she and the crew are closing the place on Sunday, Nov. 6, instead. She's invited all her customers (and everyone else) to a goodbye and thanks but don't let the door hit 'ya party at 4 p.m.

It says a lot about a place when customers are that devoted, doesn't it? ...It seems we always gravitate toward a feeling of social belonging and comfort. ...Reminds me of the recent news out of Shanghai, where older singles are descending on Ikea stores in hordes, sitting for hours in the store's comfy cafeteria socializing and drinking free coffee. ...The report also said people seem to see the store as an extension of home -- actually napping on the beds and sitting together on couches reading newspapers. So far Ikea has been pretty tolerant. ...Come to think of it, we actually have a place in town where that's supposed to happen (except for the beds), and with coffee, too. It would even be perfect for all those soon-to-be Oven ex pats, so they tell me, if only they didn't have to park downtown to get to Mud Street. ...Maybe they should petition Brashears to open a Brashears' Express(o) in the Lovin' Oven spot ... those guys even serve free cookies.

Okay, so the Ikea thing bothers me because it's actually kinda sad. ...What's happened to us that we're so hungry for places to sit and socialize, sip a beverage, read a paper, do a crossword, talk or not talk -- just relax in a pack with our species like lions do? ...It's something technology can never give us.

So thanks, Heather and marvelous crew, for all the body warmth and goodies.

And you can warm my inbox at oliverdeplace@hotmail.com.