... And then Fast & French turned 25!

How many restaurants in Charleston have lasted this long?
Whichever they are, what made them so durable? What kept them going through thick and thin and survive so many storms, mishaps, acts of God, ill-spirited criticisms, landlord aggressiveness, everything that any small - sorry - any very small business has to face year round! Not that we want to paint a bleak picture of our years on the job. Certainly not!

Certainly not! Because, if daily life is a dangerous venture, it is a magnificent way to meet real people. Customers, co-workers, suppliers. Here, the grade average is definitely an A. This is why we have lasted so long and weathered the past 25 years: customers, co-workers, suppliers.

Gwylène and Jean-Marie cannot say that they will manage another twenty-five! But it is their strong intent to find a way to perpetuate the spirit of Fast & French; a way to see Gaulart and Maliclet, French Café remain a successful very small business. Historic Charleston has integrated our blend of art, design and tradition. It will support us for another quarter century.

So, let us celebrate! May 3rd 2009 is the date –
The City Gallery at Waterfront is the place –
2.00PM to 9.00PM is the time.

There will be food, (exceptionally, that day, you may bring your own freedom fries and Amora ketchup). There will be music, (it could be your music: there will be a stage). There will be a time line: a visual, linear history of the last 25 years, (made possible only with your contribution ... memories, pictures, stories ... which you may leave with us, at 98 Broad, or bring to the party). There will be whatever you suggest, as you drop a note into the very small, yellow box you will find at the café. There may even be visions for the future...

May the 3rd will be a celebration of you, the community which supports Fast & French; also a celebration of art-in-community, since there have been and still are many artists at Fast & French. As if the practice of such art did actualize our collective dream for conscious, equitable social growth. Fascinating, isn't it?

As you may have observed, we do not play the violin for angels in heavenly clouds. We do not practice entertainment very well. This offer is in earnest. Come in droves and we will have the most unpredictable 25th anniversary this city has seen in ... possibly twenty-five years.

The people at Fast & French