Lord's Lunch Counter Serves Last Cup of Coffee

Nine-year-old Justin Marcel has been going to Lord's lunch counter since he was two weeks old. His grandmother, Frances Marcel, has been going there for the last 40 years. 

That tradition came to an end on Saturday when the lunch counter, recently operating as Ruthie's Diner inside Lord's Department Store, served its last cup of coffee in preparation for the store's closing next week.

"I've been coming here for 40 years and sitting on this same stool," said Frances who was sitting on that stool at the "Celebrate Lord's" community party on Friday night. "We're devastated." 

Frances, a registered nurse before her retirement, also used to work part-time at Lord's, she said.

"It was a fun thing to do on the side; Nancy [Kelly-Lavin, store co-owner] and I did Christmas morning for years," Frances said.

But not any more, and that makes her grandson sad.

"I'm very sad because I've been coming here since I was two weeks old, and the bacon was my favorite," Justin said. 

The store is scheduled to close on Feb. 28 after 73 years in business.