Before Everett had modern coffee shops there was the Monte Cristo Hotel Cafe.

Coffee at "the Monte" was 5 cents. 

The waitresses wore orange uniforms and didn't collect tips during the Depression.

The place was frequented by travelers: salesmen looking for a copy of The Herald and a poached egg.

"The Monte" had a long counter. All dinners were all 75 cents, even steaks.

The 136-room hotel had all of the goods downstairs: a barber shop, a cigar stand, and a magazine and candy counter.

This is the dream, no? Get a shave, a cigar, and sit down for a 15 cent meal of pie and coffee. Very nice.

The cafe is no more.

Today the Monte Cristo still stands on the northeast corner of Wall Street and Hoyt, an unmistakable tall brick building.

The hotel rooms upstairs have been converted to apartments, and the downstairs is an upscale, all-inclusive wedding venue with chandeliers and marble floors.

I like to see classy vintage buildings being treated with respect. 

Good things happen here.

The Monte Cristo Ballroom

 1507 Wall St Everett, WA 98201
(425) 740-5046

Richard Porter writes for Live in Everett.