Tucked away on a relatively desserted street a few blocks from my crib is was one of the best-kept secrets in town. Mississippi's was a quasi-cafeteria and deli-style restaurant with an open floor-plan and some of the tastiest food in town. The employees were diverse, the food was good, and the environment was quite and serene despite the bustle of the Orange Line mere feet away. A few months back, we got an email saying that a fire had destroyed the building and that rebuilding plans were in the works. Unfortunately, we got an email today saying it's a wrap. They threw up the deuces. Peace out to a hidden gem in the heart of the city. See for yourself:
Dear Friends,
With a great deal of sadness but no regrets I have made the decision not to re-open. After 30 years, it is time to hang up the pots and pans and kiss the cash register goodbye. I'd be lying if I said that I enjoyed every minute of it. The bad things people say about the restaurant business are entirely true. But I'd be remiss if I didn't tell you that I have enjoyed serving you a fine meal at a fair price for as long as I possibly could. It is wonderful to be able to take raw ingredients and turn them into a finished product. Not just any product, but a product that people trust so completely that they will put it in their mouths and savor it, and then come back day after day, week after week, year after year. You did that and I am grateful that you have trusted me so completely. I couldn't have done it without you.
And I couldn't have done it without a loyal and hard working staff. No group works as hard as a restaurant staff. The pressure can be brutal, the work is constant, physically demanding, emotionally challenging and requires nothing short of complete diligence. The reward is not only money because if it were, we wouldn't have anyone to do the job; the pay isn't great. The rewards are primarily an internal sense of accomplishment and the look on the face of a satisfied diner. And yet those workers are frequently overlooked, or worse yet, mistreated by the public. Don't misunderstand me, the thank yous come, but never when the kitchen is overwhelmed, the servers are shorthanded or management is caught off-guard, in other words when the thanks are needed most. The readers of this letter are a notable exception. You are the people who supported Mississippi's even when we let
you down.
I began restaurant work in 1976. I bought Mississippi's in 1981. We moved from Kenmore Square where we were a late hippie hangout to Brigham Circle where we became a Longwood Medical Area catering phenom and finally to Roxbury Crossing where we fit in like a member of the family. It was a sweet progression and our last stop, the facility on Terrace Street is without a doubt the finest place I have ever worked, the most comfortable environment and I like to think that it was one of the many places that make Boston a fine place to live. I have never been in a restaurant whose clientele was so well integrated, racially, ethnically, culturally, economically and professionally. Everyone felt at home at Mississippi's and that was very gratifying. Being the owner of such a place was not my initial intent, it was accidental, but it was a great privilege to be able to treat everyone who came in here with respect. It is true that you get what you give. At 103 Terrace St. I got that respect back in bundles. I am going to miss you and all of my customers dearly.
Mississippi's Restaurant has given me much hope for the future and the opportunity to see how well a multicultural society can work. In its aftermath, I am moving on to a new career. So far, I'm not sure where. My lifelong passions have been reading, writing and editing and many moons ago I graduated from UMass with very high honors and an English degree. I hope that I can use that passion and expertise to contribute to a worthwhile cause among a group of like minded people. If you know of an organization where my skill might be useful, please don't hesitate to call.
I look forward to seeing many of you again, but some of you I might never see again. If you know people who aren't on my mailing list but ought to be, please forward this letter to him or her. To all, thank you, thank you and may God bless you.
Love,
Jim
P.S. I have been referring former clients to other caterers who can meet their needs. If you are looking for a caterer, let me know and I'll put you in contact.
Now wasn't that some of most pure and rawest emotion put to words? Make your vocation your vacation and voila!