I learned via Durham blogger Kevin Davis at Bull City Rising that the city is trying to figure out what to do with the structures that became redundant when the new bus terminal was built. City officials are taking ideas from citizens and are offering the old transit terminal on a three-year lease to some enterprising entrepreneur.
Kevin suggested a coffee shop for commuters, but I’ll go one better. What we need is a Café Du Monde in that space. Why, it even resembles the original in New Orleans:
There seems to be ample room for awning-covered outdoor seating, just like in N’awlins. Of course, you won’t have Jackson Square and the St. Louis Cathedral to view, only the downtown loop. But with a good cup of chicory coffee and a couple of beignets, you won’t feel cheated.
There are no Café du Monde locations outside of Louisiana, but maybe some enterprising entrepreneur can convince the Fernandez family that owns the company to make an exception in Durham’s case. Let’s get crackin’.
