Annie's Lil Bits

So, sadly, Annie's Lil Bits, my mom's restaurant, will be closing tomorrow. Words can't describe what Annie's means to me personally. I wish so very much that I could be there for the closing. However, since I can't be there, I decided to write a tribute to the ol' Annie's. Mind you, a poet I am not. I tried my best to capture the finer points of dear Annie's. My mom has done a great job with Annie's and I am excited for her new ventures. Good luck mom!

Ode to Annie's

In 1998, our story begins
and ten years later, it sadly ends.

A decade of happiness, Annie's has given
and to many a good way to make a living.
Different employees have come and gone,
Some we felt may have worked here too long!

Most of those by Annie's employed,
their hard work and dedication, we've enjoyed.
Each one brought to this special place
their individual personalities and tastes.

Some brought recipes, others hard work,
for some it was here they first learned to cook!
Cooking and cleaning and serving the guests,
Annie's employees were simply the best!

To compliment the staff of our charming little place
was the great food we served on our plates.
Each day a different special was made,
when ordered, before you a blue plate was laid.

Daily soups were made from scratch,
so tasty the competition could never match!
Hamburger vegetable and creamy potato
never before were such great soups ladled.

Your choices were many when it came to your beverage,
The drinks at Annie's were anything but average.
Fresh berries in your tea or lemonade, often topped the list,
but a Millstream root beer in frosted mug wasn't to be missed.

For our scrumptious salads, we were well known,
employees and even customers came up with their own!
Bartley's and Eric's were among the best,
Yet the Oriental Crunch outsold the rest.

With each salad, our muffins we serve
praise of their own, the muffins deserve.
Different flavors of muffins were made each day
For sure, that day's choices you could never say.
Mandarin orange or pineapple, with sugar on top,
Annie's muffins were simply the cream of the crop!

For lunch, a hamburger or hot dog you could try,
Don't bother asking, we don't sell fries!
A garden burger for those who don't do meat,
our chicken and egg salads were hard to beat!

Before you fill up, make sure you save some space,
The desserts at Annie's are all the craze!
Homemade cheesecake, Chocolate or New York,
So yummy you'll never want to put down your fork!
Our pies were made from scratch,
Decorated cookies sold by the batch.
Whether vanilla or chocolate or twist,
Our frozen yogurt was truly bliss.

Many business lunches, we did cater,
get your food to go, if you don't want to tip the waiter!
Annie's Lil Bits was the place to dine,
Open Monday thru Saturday, nine to five.

Because we once could only seat a few,
Annie's remodeled and was made anew.
A quaint and charming place to eat,
at Annie's friends and family did meet.

Perhaps really the most important part
is the mark Annie's has made on our hearts.
It's been the place to eat for a decade
and where lasting friendships have been made.

Annie's has been a great success,
The boss lady Marianne is simply the best!
To each the memory of Annie's will remain dear,
We thank you Annie's for ten great years!