tastes like memories
Charles G. Jackson immigrated to the U.S. and purchased the Anoka House, the oldest hotel in Anoka, Minnesota, in 1877. Despite a devastating 1884 fire, the hotel was rebuilt and expanded, becoming a community hub with amenities like a dining room, cigar store, and pool tables. In 1976, Mary Helen Cutter DeLong saved it from the threat of demolition and initiated restoration efforts. Today, the old hotel no longer caters to overnight guests but is home to Billy’s Bar & Grill.
For nearly four decades, Antiquity Rose Tea Room in Excelsior was known for its blend of antiques and homemade delights. Housed in the historic Bardwell house, the tea room offered a distinctive shopping and dining experience. Although it closed in January 2015, the recipes that made it famous remain a joy shared.
Polly’s Slow Food served comfort food in Saint Paul for just over a decade. Owner Polly Sidney’s restaurant was the antithesis of the fast-food joints crowding out independent, sit-down eateries across the country. Polly’s Slow Food felt like you walked into a friend’s home for tasty, homemade food in a wholesome atmosphere.