Nick’s Crossroads Cafe in Albuquerque closes

Nick’s Crossroads Cafe, located on two alignments of Route 66 in downtown Albuquerque, closed Friday because its owner wanted to devote more time taking care of his ailing mother, reported KOB-TV.

For thirty years the busy little café has specialized in the three basic food groups for hungry downtown workers: Greek, American, Mexican. Owner Nick Manole says business has been great, but his mom Niki, herself a veteran of Albuquerque’s restaurant trade, now needs constant help and attention. Nick and his wife Asimine will provide it, 24/7.

“After 30 years it’s bittersweet,” Manole said during a conversation in the quiet café, while would-be customers read the closing notice posted on the door and peered inside. “The restaurant business is a difficult business, but we have a loyal clientele. We spent 30 years of blood, sweat and tears down here, and it’s going to change.”

“It’s hard,”  Asimine agreed. “The restaurant business is not easy. The last two days I didn’t have to get up before five, and it’s great! I did it for 28 years, I mean I did my time!  It’s hard.”

Nick’s Facebook page posted this announcement on Sunday:

After 30 years, and due to family illness, Nick’s Crossroads Cafe and Fresh Choices have retired and closed. We appreciate your support and loyal patronage. We thank our regular and loyal customers for 30 wonderful years. We are incredibly blessed to have had you in our lives.

The Manoles are confident someone will snap up the restaurant. It’s at a great location; downtown Albuquerque is undergoing a building boom.

Nick’s, which opened in 1982, is at Fourth Street and Central Avenue, which is where the pre-1937 and post-1937 alignments of Route 66 meet.  According to one online source, the building dates to 1909 and once housed Maisel’s Indian Trading Post and Brigg’s Drugstore and Soda Fountain.

(Image of Nick’s Crossroads Cafe by Richie Diesterheft, via Flickr)

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