Nanci and Jimella’s Cafe
The thing about living in a small community – I’m talking the ‘greater’ community of the Long Beach Peninsula – is that, no matter where you go, you know someone. At the bank, the drugstore, the DMV office, the post office – everyplace and on every errand – you will see someone you know. It’s at once reassuring and annoying.
The reassuring part is that if you fall down in a dead faint someone can tell the EMTs who you are (although they, too, will probably know you.) The annoying part (only slightly) is that everything takes a long time. No dashing into the grocery store to grab a forgotten item and out again in two minutes flat. Nope. You can pretty much count on being waylaid for a brief chat. Or two or three.
Nanci at Work – May 25, 2017
It’s a bit more unusual, however, to go to the spiffiest restaurant at the North End at beginning of a huge tourist weekend and know someone at almost every table! But, so it was last night in Klipsan Beach at Nanci and Jimella’s Café. And if we didn’t know them, they seemed to know us. It was the most remarkable feeling and, without a doubt, almost everyone in the restaurant felt the same way.
There was table-hopping and waving and hugs and laughter and Nanci Main, of course, was right in the thick of it. The community had gathered to say “goodbye” to Nanci-the-baker-the-chef-the-standard-bearer-of-fine-dining! It was one of our last chances to say goodbye to the quintessential Queen of Hospitality here at the beach.
Wishful Thinking?
Saturday will mark Nanci’s last official workday. After 45 years in the restaurant biz – most of them spent in three locations (Shelburne, Ark, Café) here on the Peninsula – Nanci is retiring! The restaurant is for sale and Nanci is on to other things. She promises some “pop-up” appearances now and then, like a dinner in June in honor of her dad who was a WWII veteran. And she may do a bit of traveling.
But, knowing Nanci, she won’t be idle, probably not for a minute. Giving to others is what she’s all about and I have no doubt that she will reinvent herself so she can continue doing just that. Meanwhile, this weekend the community is gathering to say thank you and wish her well. We’re so happy that we were there too!
Jimella’s is our favorite stopping spot when we are on the Peninsula. I am so sorry to see it end, but Nanci has earned a well-deserved retirement.