For about six months in 2013, I accidentally lived in Chattanooga, Tennessee. A weekend trip turned into a job offer and then a semester of college. I was 19 years old, had no plan beyond where the wind took me, and very, very little money to execute that idea. That’s when I saw an advertisement for the Hixson Pike Diner, which offered free pancakes on Mondays. I puttered over in my falling-apart car and found I was the only customer there.
I sat at the bar and asked the owner if it was true about the free pancakes. He smiled and asked how many I wanted. Just one, please. He made me two. He asked if I liked coffee. I sure did, but said I was alright. He poured a mug anyway. It was really good. He and I sat there and talked for at least an hour. He told me about previously living in California, and I told him about the spontaneity of my decisions that year. I confessed that I’d just needed a change of scenery, but I wasn’t sure I’d picked the right one.
When my plate was cleared, I grabbed the two dollars I had with me and placed them on the counter as a tip. He told me to keep it, but I insisted. He said that anytime I wanted some pancakes and coffee, I should come on over. I moved back to Virginia shortly after, but I never forgot his kindness that day. Right here at home, there are also places that offer meals to people short on cash—and it’s my honor to feature those below. I’m so glad you’re here.
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These pay-what-you-can cafes in Virginia can help you get an affordable and satisfying meal. (oneinchpunch/Shutterstock)
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By Aila Boyd
Here’s what you need to know: Throughout Virginia, a small but growing number of establishments are turning the traditional restaurant model on its head by inviting patrons to pay what they can or simply contribute their time instead of money.
Making a difference:
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Open Doors Café is where folks in Wytheville can go five days a week for a chef-prepared lunch regardless of their ability to pay. The community cafe is a nonprofit that’s operated by Open Door Community, which has been combating poverty in Southwest Virginia for more than 30 years. Operations are underwritten by donations from individuals, churches, and foundations.
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Ursula’s Café bills itself as “more than just a café.” Along with access to a warm cup of coffee, a hearty bowl of soup, and lively conversation, it’s a community hub among Roanokers with a donate-what-you-can structure that’s intended to give everyone dignity. Volunteer opportunities can be found here.
- Philly Vegan is another Virginia eatery that offers pay-what-you-can to customers. Uniquely, it serves freshly prepared, 100% vegan options. The family-owned restaurant is run by three family members who have more than 25 years of experience cooking Philly cheesesteaks. The idea behind the restaurant was to bring an authentic Philly cheesesteak taste with a plant-based twist to Richmond.
Hungry for more? We’ve got additional info about the featured restaurants at the link below.
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A group gathers outside at the William & Mary campus. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
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By Michael O’Connor
Years ago, D’Ante “Deejay” Pulliam was known as the guy in the kitchen at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond who wore broken glasses.
The lenses were fine, but Pulliam’s frames were missing one of the parts that tucked behind his ear.
“I only had one leg on it,” Pulliam said of his glasses. “I famously wore that everywhere I went because I didn’t have health insurance, so I could not get glasses.”
Things changed after Pulliam was part of the organizing effort that led to VCU dining workers winning a union contract in 2022. He called the free pair of glasses he was able to get because of his new health benefits one of the best things to happen to him. And Pulliam was able to see a doctor about health issues he’s been dealing with for years.
Pulliam is part of a growing number of dining workers on Virginia campuses unionizing with UNITE HERE Local 23, a union representing hospitality workers in Virginia and other states, including North Carolina and Washington, DC.
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What kind of bookmark is your go-to? (Amie Knowles/Dogwood)
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By Amie Knowles
I recently read a Facebook thread where people sounded off about their favorite types of bookmarks. And boy, do I have opinions. Three, to be exact—handmade, store-bought, and random.
The handmade one came from Elysium Leatherworks (Christiansburg), which sold amazing creations at a Virginia festival I attended last year. It was green and brown leather and fit right on the corner of the page. I wish I had a picture of that one, but I misplaced it after finishing a western a couple of months ago. I clearly need to order another.
Although it doesn’t compare to the loss of my leather one, I did finally buy a temporary replacement at Barnes & Noble last week. I purchased a three-pack of small magnetic bookmarks with these clever sayings: “books are good for the soul,” “the world belongs to those who read,” and my personal favorite, “a book a day keeps reality away.”
And then, of course, there’s the random favorite—it’s the receipt. Apparently, I’m not as alone on this one as I thought, because people in the Facebook comments that I read absolutely loved marking their books with that thin slip of paper. From library return slips to outright purchases, there’s just something about the perfect way it marks the spot.
What’s your favorite page marker? Write to me and tell me all about it.
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Would you recommend this newsletter to your neighbor?
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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Amie Knowles. Amie is a lifelong Virginia resident and mom to a fantastic 8-year-old who loves Pokémon. This edition includes stories from Aila Boyd and Michael O’Connor. It was edited by Brook Bolen.
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