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| Almond croissants fresh out of the oven, Give Thanks Bakery, Rochester, MI. |
In 1954, my parents moved our family from our
Kentucky homeplace of three generations to Detroit’s Yacama Street. My sisters
and I had never seen such crowded houses on both sides of a “block,” as city
people named where they lived. Every house had a number. Our house’s number was
19346.
Nobody’s house had
numbers on Peter Creek where we came from. Everybody knew everybody and where
they lived.
The new neighbors on
our block, we lived next door to Italians, and across the street from Germans
and Polish folk. They all spoke languages we didn’t know.
Alarmed by the trucks
and cars that drove fast on Seven Mile Road, my mother forbid my sisters and me
to skip rope past our neighbor’s house. We spent most our playtime in the
backyard.
Five years old
then, my saving grace was Brown’s Creamery, my landmark on Seven Mile Road. I
dreamt about spinning on the stool and scooping ice cream from a tall, frosted
glass as other children did.
Sometime later, Mom
and Dad moved our belongings to 18960 Joann Street, also south of Seven Mile
Road where Dad barbered in a shop on the corner.
On a Saturday
while Dad worked, my two sisters and I walked hand-in-hand with Mom on the
sidewalk along Seven Mile Road. To our surprise, she turned the corner facing
Gratiot Avenue. She opened the glass and brass door to the Sander’s store. My
sisters and I spun on our stools and scooped ice cream from a frosted glass.
I developed a fondness
for Sander’s Confectionary which sold chocolates packaged in gold boxes, tied
with ribbon. Mom never bought a box of chocolates.
One day, my Joann
Street playmate, Camille, invited me into the “foyer” of her house. “Stay
here,” she said and disappeared within her beautiful home.
Meanwhile, I spied
something sparkly upon a small table against a wall. A sunbeam shone through the
tiny window of the front door onto a crystal dish filled with chocolates. Unawares,
that moment of resisted temptation granted me permission to enjoy fine sweetness
whenever I could afford the expense.
Alas, as Brown’s
Creamery, the Sander’s stores on Gratiot and Woodward Avenues are long gone
with many remarkable establishments that proclaimed a vibrant community.
Even so, a
discerning palate will not forget due honor to Brown’s Creamery and Sander’s sweet
legacy.
Nowadays, I frequent my most local Sander’s
downtown Rochester store, and Give Thanks Bakery. Give Thanks’ almond croissant
happens to be my present favorite pastry.
Last Saturday, I
paid ten bucks to park for a table in Canelle patisserie, 45 Grand River Avenue,
Detroit. Facing the corner of Grand River and Griswold, a friend and I observed
diehard Red Wings fans sporting team jerseys, braving the cold and wind.
Dear Reader, I
ordered a chocolate pistachio croissant and cappuccino. My friend chose their
scrambled egg croissant. I pass on our recommendations to you.
Time will tell if Canelle
Detroit makes my list of sweet landmarks and legacies.
