Top of the Morning, March 11, 2024
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The line at Champaign's Original Pancake House stretched out the door on Sunday morning.
Pancakes came secondarily to many of the patrons, particularly those waiting to bid farewell and get one final coffee from longtime employee Lester Lindsey in his final shift before retiring.
Some brought gifts or tipped a little extra for the occasion.
"It's a good place to work," Lindsey said. "It's got good employees, a good boss in (Eric Faulkner), you can't ask for much else. It's like family."
Lindsey has been pouring coffees with warm smiles and friendly conversations in Champaign since 1991, when he began working at Faulkner's Elite Diner.
He moved to Original Pancake House when Faulkner purchased it in 2002, and has been a staple since. The short alleyway between the restaurant's kitchen and dining rooms was renamed "Lester Lane" a few years ago and received a Champaign County Tourism Impact award in 2019.
"I'll miss the conversations," Lindsey said. "Talking about sports, politics, all that kind of stuff. Just general stuff, everyday stuff."
Lindsey — who survived a significant cardiac event in October 2023 — won't be going far. To an extent.
He said he'll be back as a customer himself in between his retirement travels, which he eagerly awaits.
"A lot of traveling," Lindsey said, noting that he's especially excited to see Brazil and New York.
Original Pancake House regulars will surely be happy to see him again.
"He's just a great employee and a great friend," Faulkner said. "He'll be sorely missed."
