No More Nono's

I first noticed it yesterday. Butcher paper lined the windows, hiding the interior from view. The name painted in the window was missing, as were the posters that usually advertised upcoming downtown events. Somebody had removed the outdoor tables and chairs and the sandwich board mentioning Vigal coffee, Krispy Kreme donuts and the morning specials no longer stood on the sidewalk.

It made me pause in confusion. Maybe they're remodeling, I thought. Or maybe they moved. I looked at the windows again for a clue, but the sign announcing when they'd return or where they relocated was nowhere to be seen. It suddenly dawned on me - Cafe Nono's was gone.

The last time I remember seeing it open was two or three weeks ago. The last time I stopped in for an Almond Joy was back in July. At the time, nothing indicated or hinted that they would be going out of business.

Last year, the Mercury News reviewed Nono's. The article reported that the owner had "Lebanese and Palestinian roots". I wonder if the recent violence between Israel and Hezbollah caused him to close shop and travel home to take care of family and friends caught in the attacks.

My overactive imagination, a la Amelie, envisions him returning home and dramatically rescuing people from houses reduced to rubble and rushing them to safety in a battered car while explosions go off all around them. Of course, it's just as easy (and probably more plausible), that he simply retired and is enjoying a round of golf on a tropical island somewhere. In any case, I hope he is doing well.

The folks at Nono's were always friendly to me. They made excellent drinks, especially Almond Joys and mochas, and Ali, the owner whose name I didn't know until I read the article, always greeted me with a smile and asked, "So, what can I get you, boss?" I'll miss them.