Carl Durham

L-C Cafeteria? Yes, I remember it well. Why? Because I went to work there in 1965, hired as Catering Manager, and then left in about '69 (as Assistant Manager). John Lewis (always Mr. Lewis to me) was no longer the co-owner, having sold to Walgreen's. I was previously the Manager of the ONLY Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in the entire state of Texas (also owned by Mr. Lewis). When it closed, the Manager of the L-C, Mr. Jerry Krystynik, invited me to come to the L-C as their Catering Manager (as well as Line Manager of 2 of the 4 serving lines). It was a very special place to work, open 6 days; closed every Sunday. Mr. Lewis came around often, and was much revered and loved by his former employees. He was a kind, generous, gentle man and gentleman. (He had a temper, but cooled down quickly.) 20 years later I was traveling through the city back to Philadelphia, and stopped in to show my 3 daughters what they had been hearing about all their lives. Lo and behold: standing at one of the lines was a man that had been hired 20 years before as a Stock Room Manager.....who was now the Assistant Manager! He recognized me.....and told me he was retiring the next day. Needless to say....my daughters were impressed to learn that I had been telling them the truth all these years about how big the place was (4 long serving lines; 2 huge dining rooms). What wonderful memories!