The Café

The café isn't just some place that the residents of Tupelo Landing stop by to get a burger or a sandwich—it serves as the center of social life in this tiny town. Even when Mo is running the café and only serving peanut butter sandwiches, everyone stops by because it's routine to do so and catch up with everyone else. Even the mayor shows up and eats Mo's peanut butter sandwiches without complaint:

Mayor tiptoed to the counter, his polished loafers tick-tick-ticking across the tile floor. "Miss Lana gone? The Colonel back? An unfortunate turn of events, but put in an historical context, it's nothing the town can't handle," he murmured. "Morning, Mo. Give me a special and drink du jour. No ice. My gums are giving me fits." (1.68)

In addition to being the hub of the community, the café also provides a pleasant escape from small town boredom. Miss Lana and the Colonel make sure to conjure exotic themes for the café like Karate Night (with Chinese food served) and Paris-themed decorations (with French food served):

The Colonel keeps the café military crisp; Miss Lana prefers a theme. Glancing around, I pegged today's theme as 1930s Paris—her favorite. A miniature Eiffel Tower graced the counter, and scratchy accordion music crackled from the ancient Victrola she'd placed near the jukebox. (12.32)

Tupelo Landing may just be a blip on the map for most people, but with the café, the residents can feel like they're still a part of the wider world, vicariously experiencing new places and foods without having to leave their tiny little town.