My wife Claire and I have been regular attendees at Francelli’s Coffee House at Royal Oak Shopping Centre for several years and drive a vintage car that is original and unmodified.
The gathering of vehicles at Francelli’s was attended by a wide variety of cars including classics like Packards and restored Model Ts – and of course modified vehicles.
It was an eclectic blend of automotive history – art on wheels. In addition to the ever changing milieu of automotive history there was the large number of the public who came down to view the historical cars and trucks – and spend their money at the merchant’s stores.
This influx of people spurred the complaints from a minority of the merchants who are now are enjoying the solitude of their empty parking lot hoping that new customers will arrive.
We are now enjoying the welcoming atmosphere created by Mayor Stew Young of Langford with the live music and delicious barbecued hamburgers wrapped in the ambiance of the beautifully landscaped Goldstream Avenue.
Perhaps we will drive by the old site to revisit fond memories and check for tumbleweed blowing across the empty landscape.
Jim Cain
Saanich
