01/07/2022
OBITUARY OF CHRISSY’S CAFE
July 2013 to January 2022
We are saddened to announce the passing of Chrissy’s Cafe. Born July 8, 2013 to Christine Hinckley, who was thence doomed to forever be known by her childhood nickname, she began as a small, family run diner in Indian Lake, NY. On her soft opening day, she was overrun with customers when daughter Erica allowed a few passers by to join in by saying “Sit wherever you’ll be comfortable.” She enjoyed 3 wonderful years in the small town. People would line up outside and wait for her famous sausage gravy and biscuits, huge fluffy pancakes and the best wait staff the world had ever seen. She met so many wonderful people and enjoyed being tended by the most amazing employees who sincerely cared about her and her customers as if they were family, even if they were.
When she had outgrown her space, she relocated to 296 Main St. in beautiful downtown North Creek, in the former Smith’s Restaurant building. She was humbled to be allowed to grow in a space that had such a rich history and she worked hard to carry on the legacy of Smith’s while improving the property and helping her new community. She delighted in meeting new friends and seeing her old friends from Indian Lake and those that travelled from even farther just to see her.
In 2019, a pesky virus hit and the government, in its infinite wisdom, felt the need to stop her from making a living. When they felt she’d almost been killed, she rallied and came back, despite limited seating, increased prices and lack of staff. She struggled with all her might until the beginning of 2022, when the government decided to give away home test kits and most everyone tested positive and panicked. That and the outrageous price of bacon and the ban on styrofoam take-out containers caused her to give up all hope of ever regaining the quality of life she enjoyed.
Along the way, she lost some very dear friends. Bennie, who has his own chair that no one dares to sit in at 10 am, Karen, Jim, Charlie, Patty, Terry and Ernest, Olga, Betty White (ok, she was never here but she would have loved us), Diane, W***y, Dort, Dick, and countless others whom we think of often and miss greatly.
She is survived by her founder, Christine, who will continue working in EMS, Katie, who excels at being a stay-at-home Mom and homesteader, Shane, Violet, Erica, Shaun and Brooke, Mason, Layla, Carol, Lucy and current waitstaff Courtney and niece Kaydance (and if you need an awesome employee, you will not go wrong in hiring either one), countless customers who have become such an important part of our lives: Jimmy G, Markey Mark, Bone, Smilin’ Mike, Lenny and Michael, Mark, Nick, Andy, Maureen, Jim and Eve, the QUILTERS, Frankie and Jesse, A. Bennett Excavating, Frank and Fran, John, Nick, Pam and Ricky (Thanks for Leaving) Ross, and the thousands of others who have visited over the years and come back again and again to see how we are and share their own stories with us.
She had a good run. She loved being a small hometown diner that never settled for inferior ingredients or compromised quality for quantity. She will forever be remembered for her sausage gravy and biscuits and her ability to put a smile on the face of all as they walked in the door, even if it was behind a damn mask. She treated everyone like family because we all are.
Calling hours are this Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 7 am to 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, she wishes for everyone to eat and shop locally and to not let their dogs relieve themselves in her flower garden. Peace out. And suck it.
