Anti-Tom's campaign on Washington Ave.?

Cafe Shane's waiter: "Yeah, we love Tom's... that place is an institution. Too bad about those rats and guy from the Board of Health - I heard his hand is almost back to normal, though. Anyway, would you like some ketchup for your deliciously fresh garden omelet?"

(humor)

No, that's a little comedy bit. I was trying to imagine how this alleged "anti-Tom's campaign" might be playing out...

And the sign said long-haired freaky people need not apply
So I tucked my hair up under my hat, and I went in to ask Gus why
Gus said, "you look like a fine outstanding young man, I think you'll do."
So I took off my hat, I said "Imagine that! Huh. Me, working for you."

When they first opened, the owner was standing out front talking to everyone who passed by (we'd just come out of Tom's) saying things like "Why would you go somewhere that uses prepackaged, canned food? All our food is fresh and healthy, and CHEAPER!" Which...fine, but come on. Advertise your own benefits without being negative about a beloved landmark like Tom's! They've also put very similar propaganda on their chalkboard out front before ("Why pay MORE for LOWER QUALITY food?" type stuff.)

I enjoy Shane's, but that makes me mad. They have very separate places in my heart (er...stomach).

No, he was definitely specifically talking about Tom's when he talked to us (He had just seen us coming out of Tom's and was all "Why would you go there? Come here!") And after that, all their comments sounded like jibes at Tom's to me...

It's a good thing that Gus doesn't give a shit about what his temporary competition says, thinks or does. He's seen thenm come and go since 1936.
Which of these two restaurants will be in business a year after Ratnerville is built. My money is on Toms. The rent hike @ Shanes will surely place him among the statisticly bankrupt

Some people believe in GOD.
Gus sits on a church choir and he needs a days rest. It's not always WIERD why people take a day off. Plus the guy is not interested in making money. He's made it already

Likewise, lots of people who believe in God have someone else run the business on sundays. Or worship on days other than sunday, for that matter.

I think he's that Big Guy with the white beard ...

oh, no ... that's Santa Claus ... never mind ...

:oops:

Lots of people who believe in God work on Sundays.

INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK

By Nick Cave

When I bought my first copy of the Bible, the King James version, it was to the Old Testament that I was drawn, with its maniacal, punitive God who dealt out to His long-suffering humanity punishments that had me drop-jawed in disbelief at the very depth of their vengefulness.

I had a burgeoning interest in voilent literature, coupled with an unnamed sense of the divinity in things and, in my early twenties, the Old Testament spoke to that part of me that railed and hissed and spat at the world. I believed in God, but I also believed that God was malign and if the Old Testament was testament to anything, it was testament to that. Evil seemed to live close to the surface of existence within it, you could smell its mad breath, see the yellow smoke curl from its many pages, hear the blood-curdling moans of despair. It was a wonderful, terrible book, and it was sacred scripture.

But you grow up. You do. You mellow out. Buds of compassion push through the cracks in the black and bitter soil. Your rage ceases to need a name. You no longer find comfort watching a whacked-out God tormenting a wretched humanity as you learn to forgive yourself and the world.

Then, one day, I met an Anglican vicar and he suggested that I give the Old Testament a rest and read Mark instead. I hadn't read the New Testament at that stage because the New Testament was about Jesus Christ and the Christ I remembered from my choirboy days was that wet, all-loving, etiolated individual that the church proselytised. I spent my pre-teen years singing in the Wangaratta Cathedral Choir and even at that age I recall thinking what a wishy-washy affair the whole thing was. The Anglican Church: it was the decaf of worship and Jesus was their Lord.

"Why Mark?", I asked. "Because it's short", he replied. I was willing to give anything a go, so I took the vicar's advice and read it and the Gospel of Mark just swept me up.

More...

Amen, DH.

Once again Andy, Gus is a Christian Orthodox and practicing Christian Orthodox do not work on Sundays. It's a tribute to their discipline. Some of you guys are walking in to your homes from your intoxicated evening, @ Sodas, about the time he's waking up to go to church. Trolly should either repent or start a non-denominational service every Sunday morning.
Also, were you aware that for the past seven years (Until his fathers recent death last year) Gus would spend the entire day after church with his ailing father. Plus, his staff worship on Sundays as well.
And, once again, for those who did not read my previous reply, he is not interested in making more money (Owns bldg, makes good profit, no overhead). Money is not his motivation, unlike the Shane or Le Gamin crowd

That article is BS.
Go to the church of St. Constantine and Helen on State Street.
Above the narhtex is the choir. Amongst the choir is Gus.

Not to be all crazy-like and return the discussion to the topic, but I agree with Ariel about the Tom's for sweet/Shane's for savory wholeheartedly. And that Shane's benefits from Tom's foot traffic, long lines, and Sunday closing.

Which is why I was irked that he needed to make it a competition.

That is all.