Wanna Meet My New Neighbor?
Directly across the street from the Cross House, to the west, is an unattractive 1970s one-story building behind a parking lot.
When I purchased the house in 2014, the building (originally a restaurant) was being used by the local historical society. I stopped by often. But the building looked rather desperate.
The historical society then relocated to rather glamorous new digs right on main street, and the building was purchased and transformed into an events space. The exterior though was little improved.
Covid, it seems, killed the new business, and the structure was purchased by Amanda with plans to transform it into a high-style restaurant. You can imagine my excitement.
For months and months now I have watched as people went in and out, and for the exterior to sport a new paint job. The exterior looks quite a bit better. Then I heard that they were going to open soon! Today, I dragged my soggy ass across the street to introduce myself, opened the door, and was awestruck by the interior which has been wholly transformed from its sad 1970s incarnation. Sitting at a round table was a group of people. I called out: “Is the owner in?
The reply? “Ross!”
Oh. I guess they knew me!
Left to right: Amanda, Tim, Piper, and Ben. My newest best friends. Sitting in the soon-to-open Union Street Social.
.
I extended an open invitation for a tour of the Cross House, and gave Amanda my number. And, when I get my two airbnb suites online, having a good restaurant right across the street should be highly appealing. I asked Amada if they would deliver. “Sure!”
Ross VERY excited!
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Boy, you got some great neighbors there. Not only does their taste in interior design seem very sympathetic to what you’re doing in the Cross House but they already know you. How lucky you are to have a restaurant so close and they owners already know you by name.
I’m sure your AirBnB will be much better than the one experience I had.
Hope the menu is delicious and the music invigorating. The company is already convivial.
Many years ago (40?), the Emporia High School Class of 1978 had its Friday night gathering in that space. It’s been a lot of things over the years. Wishing Amanda much success in her business venture! And maybe we can meet there again in 2023, when the Class of 1978 hosts its 45-year class reunion.
Ross, you have 2 years to get some rooms up and running so the class of ’78 can rent for their reunion. Lol!
It will be GREAT when I come to be able to eat just across the way!!! But I like delivery better!👍👍
Wow! To have a restaurant across the street! I’m so jealous. 🙂
Hooray, lovely neighbors!
It looks so comfortable there and can only help the neighborhood.