Moving across the country comes with lots of highs and lots of lows. There’s excitement and intrigue and fear and loathing and hurt and euphoria. There are more questions than answers, followed by even more questions.
My biggest issue, at this very moment: Where will I write?
For the past 1 1/2 years, my joint has been Swirl, an amazing coffee and tea shop on North Avenue in New Rochelle, N.Y. I have two all-time favorite creative spots. One is the Freight House in Mahopac, N.Y.—owned by my pal Donna Massaro, home to an amazing patio and great eats. The other is Swirl (pictured above).
When I enter Swirl, I’m greeted warmly. By name. The photos on the home page of this website were taken at Swirl. It’s the perfect coffee shop, in that it features:
• Dozens of outlets.
• Excellent modern music at the perfect volume.
• Terrific drinks and food.
• Lovely staff.
This morning, for example, I was greeted by Ryan, the barista who’s been there since opening day. Ryan’s a college student who could teach Drink Creation: 101. He’s quick, smart, friendly, open. The conversations in Swirl have always been lovely. Sports, politics, geography, tattoos, Jewish weddings. When it opened, it was billed as a “Jewish” coffee shop—which worries me. Kosher food tends to sorta, well, suck, and I had bad visions. Well, Swirl is a place like no other. Great, great, great, great spot.
Anyhow, my days at Swirl are, sadly, numbered. I’ve got one or two more visits in me, then I’m ghost.
I’ll miss it.
