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“With its signature antiques–some loosely dairy-themed, others simply random–Mae’s Phinney Ridge Cafe

Published 7:00 am Monday, September 24, 2012

Mae's normally closes at two in the afternoon, but keeps its doors open every second Tuesday of the month for the nation's second Alzheimer's cafe.
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Mae's normally closes at two in the afternoon, but keeps its doors open every second Tuesday of the month for the nation's second Alzheimer's cafe.
Mae's normally closes at two in the afternoon, but keeps its doors open every second Tuesday of the month for the nation's second Alzheimer's cafe.
Having spearheaded the cafe for a little over a year, Carin Mack (standing) is familiar with various types of Alzheimer's support groups. She believes the cafe fills a niche, and expects others to pop up soon in neighboring communities.
Marie Trainer, a Mae's regular, got the idea for the Seattle rendition of the Alzheimer's cafe while visiting family in England. There, she was told about the many cafes throughout Europe.
Every month, Inge Hesse brings her husband, Wolfgang, who is famous among the cafe's regulars for his sweet tooth. Both are so comfortable at Mae's, it's hard to tell that Wolfgang is the one afflicted by Alzheimer's.
Ice cream, almond-crusted coffee cake, and fresh cherry pie are some of the treats that Mae's owner Jeanne Barwick serves attendees.
Freshly made cherry pie.
Ice-cream sundaes.
Hot apple pie.
"With its signature antiques--some loosely dairy-themed, others simply random--Mae's Phinney Ridge Cafe
Carin Mack says they chose Mae's because the restaurant closes to the public after lunch, allowing the Alzheimer's cafe group to have comfortable privacy. We wanted a place that was cozy, and not somewhere sterile, she says. An upscale Seattle restaurant was not at all what we were looking for.
Volunteers from the Greenwood Senior Center bring a guitar and banjo, and serenade the 10 or so couples with Let It Be and This Land Is Your Land. Lyric sheets are passed out, and almost everyone sings along.
Mae's Phinney Ridge Cafe, 6412 Phinney Ave. N.

“With its signature antiques–some loosely dairy-themed, others simply random–Mae’s Phinney Ridge Cafe drips with nostalgia, its cluttered ambience inspiring a variety of memories customers can connect to. Thus, it’s perfect for a monthly Alzheimer’s cafe–an informal support group for people living with the disease and the loved ones who serve as their caretakers.”Read the rest of Katherine McKeon’s feature here.Photos by Joshua Huston.Published on April 30, 2012

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