Before Dana left town, his favorite place to hang on Franklin Street was at Columbia Street Bakery, right across the street from what was then the Hardback Cafe and later became the Lizard and Snake. It was a relatively new space, having only opened its doors in late 1987.
"New cafes serve up friendship, culture," Daily Tar Heel, 11/9/87
The Columbia Street Bakery and Coffeehouse, located on North Columbia Street behind Logos bookstore, should be open later this month, according to Josh Gurlitz of the cafe's board of directors. It is a non-profit enterprise designed to be responsive to the arts in Chapel Hill, Gurlitz said. "The space will be available for a young poet who wants to test an evolving poem or if a group wants to try out some jazz here; it's free," he said. Besides opening early to serve pastries for breakfast, Gurlitz said the cafe will keep late hours so the space can be used for discussions after movies or local events. "Say you just spent two hours at a town council meeting," he said. "You can come here to sit around and talk about what you’ve heard."
Local artists not represented by studios can display their art on the walls of the cafe. Play readings or performances by musical soloists are other ideas Gurlitz said the board has in mind. The Columbia Street Bakery and Coffeehouse will be serving food prepared by the Ninth Street Bakery of Durham. Gurlitz said he wants to attract a lot of middle-aged people as well as graduate and undergraduate students. "Maybe you could call it a teen center for adults," he said.
They had open mic nights every week, and I went to them once or twice to see people I knew play. It was also one of Joe Herzenberg's favorite hangouts. I grew to dig CSB, too, and was very sad when they closed their doors in the mid-90s. Knowing now that it was a non-profit, I realize more about what made it a special place.
"The Bakery was on the corner of Franklin St. & Columbia St. (Editor's note - the Bakery was actually a few doors down from the corner.) Today, the space is a hamburger restaurant. 18 years ago, it was the location of one of the more important venues of the Chapel Hill music scene. The Cradle was where the big bands played. 506, the Cave, and the Lizard & Snake were the minor league rock clubs. The Bakery & the Skylight Exchange were the songwriter clubs." - Mike Garrigan, 2012
During Dai's first visit to Chapel Hill, Dana came down to hang out for a couple days. And naturally we ended up Columbia Street before he left. Among other friends dropping by to say hi, Pedigo was there, and Rashmi. There was an Owari tournament. Dana must have brought his authentic Ghanaian board back to town with him.
