132 DESOLATE HIGHWAY CAFÉ
387 W Armitage Street
Providing country-style French cooking, the café’s tasty offerings have in recent times attracted a bohemian crowd drawn from among university intellectuals, émigrés, and Arkham’s “smart set.” Chessboards are available, as are wide selection of newspapers (domestic and foreign). Open 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, and from 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm, Tuesday to Saturday.
The owners, Reid Vandervelden and his partner Josh Visser, occasionally sponsor art exhibits or readings, and various paintings by local aspiring artists adorn the walls, but the real attraction is the conversation, posturing, and flirting. Regular customers known to the management can have wine served surreptitiously with their meals. While certain patrons are rumored to have access to opium, Arkham’s criminal fraternity tends to give the place a wide berth due to its bohemian nature.
Notable Folk
Reid Vandervelden, 36, and his wife Janet Vandervelden, 35, are the co-owners and do the lions' share of the work.
Cecilia Atkins, 22, is a part-time waitress.
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