Dunkin’ and Bulgogi!
An automated car wash is coming to town.
RJ Photography
By Bob Gaydos
In the category of trying to find something to write about today other than the election, I found myself thinking about riding through town the other day and talking to myself in my head about all the new developments happening at the same time.
I realized I sounded like Garrison Keillor on Prairie Home Companion giving the weekly news from Lake Wobegon. I also realized that, in the absence of anything resembling a daily local newspaper, a lot of folks might not be aware of these new developments. So, in lieu of politics and to satisfy my urge to write, with a tip of the hat to Prairie Home Companion, here’s the news this week from Lake … I mean, Pine Bush, New York.
Well, for starters, that new Dunkin’ finally opened as a drive-through with a couple of outdoor tables. People noticed. The lines were long. The old Dunkin’ had to be knocked down and rebuilt after someone drove into it, literally drove into it, in the middle of the night causing considerable structural damage. I believe alcohol was involved.
Just up the road, only a few hundred feet, the promised automated car wash was finally taking shape on a formerly vacant lot between two financial institutions. And, in the very same neighborhood, within only a few hundred feet of each other, two new haircutting establishments had opened, bringing to three the number in that same small neighborhood.
And the kicker, for me anyway, driving out the other end of town on Main Street there’s a big sign in the window of what was formerly the Oriental House restaurant. To my unhappy surprise, The Korean/Japanese restaurant closed — “PERMANENTLY” — a few weeks ago as it said on my phone when I Googled for a takeout order. Apparently, Mr. and Mrs. Oh, who were pretty much a two-person team for 30 years in the middle of downtown Pine Bush, had finally decided to retire. At least that’s my assumption. But I was crestfallen. What to do?
Well, that sign in the front window says, “Coming Soon. Korean Kitchen. New Ownership. Mrs. Bulgogi.” Be still my heart. Thank you and be well, Mr. and Mrs. Oh.
I look forward to soon being able to ride into town and grab a coffee at Dunkin’, get a haircut at the establishment of my choice, get the truck squeaky clean and grab a delicious Korean dinner (and maybe some sushi) on the way home. A perfect day.
Anyway, that’s the non-election news from downtown Pine Bush, New York, where aliens sometimes land and Halloween is a really big deal and the local daily newspaper has virtually disappeared. Until next time, be safe.
And don’t forget to vote.
Tags: aliens, Bob Gaydos, car wash, coffee, Dunkin’, Haircut, Korean, newspaper, Pine Bush, restaurant, sushi
