ONE THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT

The diner seen in the last two days' posts, recently known as the White Knight, has been a fixture on the west edge of downtown for ages, now barely hanging on. This one is just south of the center and has been around at least since I showed up here for college in the late 60s. It was mostly a 24 hour operation and was well-patronized by late-night partiers of all kinds.

I got an email bulletin from the local newspaper that it had closed without notice late Friday or early Saturday morning. Now it sits at 7th and Chouteau boarded up. I ran out with my camera to pay my respects.  

            

THE OBVERSE

The same diner from the other side. I've never eaten there so I don't need to be in rehab.

The sign on building in back puzzled me. Was it in St. Louis or this very building? This town is a chess hotbed (https://saintlouischessclub.org/) . Turns out the first official world chess championship was held in 1886 but the games were spread among New York, St. Louis and New Orleans. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Chess_Championship_1886 We got a piece of the action.            

EVEN THE DINER IS CLOSED

Not out of business but not open for business. I don't know why it is so bright inside. As the saying has it, the lights are on but nobody's home.

If it looks extra perky for a restaurant of this sort, there's a backstory. Some years ago it was used as a movie set and the producers gave it a new look. The movie was based on an engaging novel by a St. Louis author. I was his lawyer at one time and I wrote a post about it 12 years ago. See https://saintlouismodailyphoto.blogspot.com/2008/06/may-angels-in-this-storm-guide.html           

White Palace

A diner towards the edge of downtown in late afternoon sun. Someone goes to the trouble to keep the paint fresh and the facade very clean. 

There is an unusual back story to this eatery. If interested, you can read about it in this old post.

May have trouble getting posts up for a bit. Tomorrow is a travel day and it's a sentimental journey, as you will see.