Instead, the proverbial wrecking ball has been swung so many times and so often, that now hardly anthing exists in Seattle to make it different from hundreds of other cities, across America. Now that’s more than a little harsh.

As for community, I don’t mean the monthly meetings of Democrats that sprout like dandelions across Seattle, with the regularity of same. I mean places where people come together, of diverse political and philosophical opinion – truly diverse political and philosophical opinion – and talk about current events and politics; and mix it up with the intensity and fevor of people haggling over goods at a Moroccan street bazaar.

That Winchell’s in Wallingford was like that, for decades. Of course, it hadn’t been like that for over 10 years. So maybe you’re right, Doug. That change, at least, might be for the better.

But I don’t know that a panaderia, as you and Naomi call it, would be an improvement. Admittedly, that’s based on my ignorance of the term “panaderia.”

I myself spent most of my four years in the Navy, at an Navy air base in the Imperial Valley of California. I’d welcome a basic, honest Mexican restaurant, without pretense and affectation, if that’s what you’re talking about (and I think it is).

Many people became long-standing friends there. But in the late Nineties, the decline of the place began when a series of owners took it over who didn’t care about the long-time regulars. Smoking was banned in 1998 and that cost them the business of many regulars. Ironically, since that time, many of the regulars passed away from cancer.

The most recent franchise owner was absolutely uncaring about the regulars. He didn’t offer a public bathroom. The lighting was terrible and he offered free Wi-Fi; which did nothing to encourage conversation.

The church, down the street from Dick’s, opened a coffee shop about two years ago. That’s where the neighborhood regulars went.

If the former doughnut shop owner wants to blame someone for the shops’ demise, he shouldn’t blame Freddy. He should simply own up to the fact that he blew it.

Noe Gracia, the manager of the doughnut shop knows Freddie well. I hope Freddie will work to keep Noe employed at the doughnut shop.

They should make it unique to Wallingford. Screw Voodoo Doughnuts.