Giuseppina (Josie) behind the counter at Lou's Cafe © Peter True
Ex-Crossfields resident Peter has sent us some old pix of Lou's Cafe (see previous post). Like a great many others, Pete used to hang out at the caff when he was younger. He now lives in Rochester down the road from Josie's nephew so has kept in touch with the family, as well as Crossfields and Deptford. Pete says, "This was by far my favorite cafe in Deptford, run by Josie, her brother Lou and his wife Polda (who cooked). It was all home cooked food, and home baked cakes . The urn on the right just bubbled away all day. Sadly it closed because of illness, a fraction short of 60 years in family business. This is a Christmas time shot and it's the early to mid 80s. The shop became Josie's home and I visited every now and then, and if I was very lucky there was home-baked rock cake on offer...Sadly now, Josie has joined Lou and Polda in the Great Cafe in the Sky..."
Breakfast, Dinners, Teas...Lou's Dinnerstea!
(Thanks to Lou's Cafe customer and ex-Crossfields resident Paul for that witticism)
Anyone with information about the arson attack that led to Josie's death is urged to call the police incident room on 020 8721 4961 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
Gosh, so long ago, all the young people in these pictures are now in their mid fifties or older? These were the days when the pubs closed in the afternoons and on Saturdays the cafe was second home to the studenty clientele of the Duke and Oxford Arms. Many a plan hatched here, many a hangover miraculously cured too!
ReplyDeleteTim, Cameron (still about), Maria (now Whitstable) in picture 4, Roger (still about) and Dave in picture 5. Do I win a prize?
DeleteThanks to Mr True for those pictures
ReplyDelete