Dear Diary,
Recently, I had the opportunity to eat lunch in a century's old bank vault.
(The Mainstreet Coffee and Wine Bar)
Posted on the front facade of the building is a historic photograph of what the downtown once looked like. The building on the far right corner is the bank-now-cafe.
I had to think of it under the context of the First National Bank in Northfield, the restored bank robbed by Jesse James. Using that as the point of reference, I was able to connect to the history of this building.
Perhaps it would be a good idea for you to revisit the post I wrote.
Imagine it's the mid-late 1800s, and you enter through the door on the corner with a deposit to make. You approach the counter, where a teller is ready to help you.
Today, there's a bartender ready to pour you a glass or a pint.
I cannot be certain if the wine storage is original but now converted to serve its modern purpose or not, but the vault was certainly recognizable. Like the bank in Northfield, it even clearly states, First National Bank. Today, it serves as storage for the wine and beers served here. But a hundred or so years ago, it would serve to protect your net worth.
(Just imagine the tall privacy walls and you've got yourself a pioneer bank.)
In Northfield, instead of hightop tables, was empty space. I'm assuming it was to accommodate a line of customers.
From this room, if you take two steps down, you enter into the cafe where your order can be placed for lunch and breakfast sandwiches, as well as their own blend of coffee sourced locally. (It should be noted that unlike the 1800s, staff request that you enter through the side door under the awning to place your order before sitting in the old bank.)
I ordered the Turkey Avocado sandwich, and as I was hungry, I didn't remember to take a picture until after my first bite. Let this image convey to you how delicious it was. Turkey, lettuce, arugula, sliced cheese and of course, mashed avocado on whole grain bread, and well - I'm a guaranteed return customer. I made a mental note to return in due time to try their coffee as well.
(I am not a professional blogger, I am merely human - and a hungry one at that.)
Here's the thing about this cafe - I love the fact that they repurposed the building rather than let it be torn down. The coffee and wine bar has certainly breathed a new life into it. However, if it weren't for my past tour of the infamous bank in Northfield, I wouldn't have been able to find my bearings in what is obviously, a historic site.
As I ate, I pondered the stories this place had to tell considering the transformations it had.
Mostly, I wonder about its reaction to the Jesse James robbery since Northfield is a mere 20 miles away.
Still one thing is for certain, history is alive and well-preserved and absolutely delicious.
If you visit:
20790 Holyoke Avenue, Lakeville, MN
Hours vary
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