SUNNYSIDE UP MOMENT - APRIL 20, 2020

DAY THIRTY-FIVE OF THE CORONAVIRUS SHUTDOWN FOR US AT STACK 'EM HIGH PANCAKES AND SO FORTH

Let me take a moment to clarify what I meant when I mentioned our "extended family" in a post earlier this week.  For nearly forty years the restaurant has served as much more than the building where the Kiousis' have made their living since 1981.  The first booth adjacent to the cash register is where Nick and his father ate breakfast together for decades.  The place where Perry espoused his sound bite wisdom to his son and many a Stack 'em High employee over morning coffee.  The office upstairs was an apartment for many years where Nick and his young roommates enjoyed the beach life at night and hurried down the stairs for work in the morning.  The line that winds out the door on summer mornings has introduced us to colorful characters, people we have laughed with, people we have grown in relationship with, generations of families growing right in front of our eyes.  The best man at our wedding first entered Nick's life when his five year old son introduced himself on the front porch with a spunky handshake nearly thirty years ago.  The back kitchen door revolves with delivery drivers we have gotten to know season after season, vendors we have longstanding relationships with and of course our cherished staff.  

Our extended family member fighting the virus is none other than our own Super G, Miss Gloria.  She lost her father a month ago to COVID-19.  He lived in New York City.  At the time of his death, the virus was ravaging the city.  The devastating decision was made that there would be no family gathering.  No funeral.  No occasion to say goodbye.  Now, only weeks later, Gloria has contracted the virus.  As many of you know, she is asthmatic which has increased our cause for concern.  However, a couple of days ago she was released from the hospital and is recovering at home.  So many of you have reached out wondering how you can help, and we couldn't be more grateful for your sincere and thoughtful concern.  The emails, private messages, texts and phone calls have kept our spirits buoyed.  We spoke with Gloria's husband this morning and he said, "She misses everyone.  Maybe some cards would be nice?"  So, if you would like to mail her a note you can send correspondence to our mailing address and we will forward them on.

Gloria Harris, C/O Stack 'em High, PO Box 35, Point Harbor, NC 27964.

For now, the dining room is empty.  But Thoreau reminds us, “It is not what you look at that matters, it is what you see.”  We see a gathering space full of memories made and memories yet to come.  Until we are able to welcome you back, know that we wish you the very best, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for extending our family even further.