On Sunday 12 April, 2009, the famous College Street Coffee House opened after being closed for six months for renovations.Albert Hall – which is the other name for the College Street Coffee House – was set up by the Coffee Board in the early 1930s, but had decided to close it in 1958 and retrench staff. It created such a furore that the then CM of Bengal – Dr Bidhan Roy stepped in and the Albert Hall workers, under his guidance formed a cooperative and started to manage the College Street Coffee House themselves.
This year the Coffee House, the intellectual hub and adda of anyone worth his intellectual salt, in Kolkata celebrates its Golden Jublee.
There is a brand new look and the old dirty walls have been washed and cleaned and have been given a lively-yellow. There are frescos and terra-cotta tiles on the walls and arty lampshades and in spite of the new look, the old has still been maintained.
Poets, writers, economists, CMs and all are regulars here.
And now, having visited this post – so are you, dear Readers!
NB: Landmark just ahead of Coffee House
4 comments:
I miss this coffee house a lot. Whenever I was in Cal, I spend endless hours just dreaming away and chatting. Great place, and feel nostalgic.
Its interesting to note that all old British type towns have Coffee Houses and they are so similar in nature. Even the waiter 's uniforms.
And the poets/ politicians etc gahter here.
The Kolkata canvassing must be hotting up. How is Sister Mamta doing?
Our voting day is on April 23.
Hi Debojit,
Yea, its that kind of place one can just hang out -------for hours!
Thanks for visiting,
Julia
You know Amrita, it is true and you are so right. It seems that it is one of the heritages we well preserve, even if in Kolkata they are doing precious little to preserve the glorious past with the Brits.
Well as you can imagine, grumpy Momota is hurling stones at CPM and trying to take them to jail etc. We will see the strength of her ever angry face on 30th April and again on three dates in May. I believe Congress is taking her for the ride of their lives - by promising her a portfolio, but not quite!!! Tell you the truth, what can one offer her except a cold shower both for representing hot Bengal and to cool her mind:)))))
Julia bitterly:))) hahaha!
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