1919 American Four Square

Our Antiquing Adventure, Part II
Livin’ in the past or it’s depressing when the memories of your youth are the cornerstone of an antique store

After the hugely successful trip to the architectural antique store, we headed toward the next store on the list. It is a shop which specializes in Art Deco stuff and has the tantalizing catch phrase “Cleveland’s only vintage department store”.   Well, you know, how can you not stop there?  Unfortunately, it did not have the type of merchandise we were interested it, but we both had a great time looking at all the 1950/1960 furniture, housewares, etc.  Probably not five minutes would go buy without one of us saying, “I remember those” or “My mom still has that”. Unfortunately, there was also some of “I had that” sprinkled in there too. It’s depressing when the memories of your youth are on the shelves of an antique store, okay, vintage department store (that does sound better) 

<!–more–>  This store had so much stuff - ranging from mid to late 1920s to 1960s. I purchased a folding Kodak (one of Dennis’ new hobbies) and looked at oodles of Pyrex, Corning Ware, those cool multi-colored aluminum glasses your mom made you use outside during the summer, tons of vinyl albums (Bobby Sherman…sigh, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, etc.). They had gobs of kitsch — tea towels, curtains, lava lamps, cigarette lighters, toys, aluminum Christmas trees [with the color wheel], hostess-type service sets with coffee decanter, cups, saucers, etc., there were more cocktail items than I can remember. Think Samantha Stevens and all the groovy things she had and it was in this shop. One half of the store was devote to vintage fashions - dresses - casual, dressy, aprons, blouses, skirts, pants, coats, hats,purses, scarves, gloves, shoes. It was fun.

The Java Jive Part

In the past month or so, I have been wanting a vacuum coffee maker. I have hinted to Dennis about getting a vacuum coffee maker. I have expressed a strong desired about getting a vacuum coffee maker. I have told him outright I’d like a vacuum coffee maker for Christmas. I recited interesting factoids about vacuum coffee makers that I had read (they make the best coffee, bar none). No little idea bug seemed to be able to penetrate his skull.  Then, on Thanksgiving evening, A & E or The History Channel had a program on the history of coffee.  The whole thing was pretty interesting, but I especially found the section on vacuum coffee makers enlightening Dennis and I were watching in separate rooms.  After that segment, he comes wandering in the kitchen

Dennis: That was pretty interesting….

Me: Hmmmm?  What was that?

Dennis: That part on the vacuum coffee makers.

Me:  Oh? Yeah, it was.

Dennis: They said it makes the best coffee

Me: Really? Hmmmm. 

Dennis:  I think we should get one!

Me:  Really?  Okay. Good idea.

Sigh….Now of course, I had already picked out the pot I wanted. It is the Bodum Santos gift set, which costs, ya know, $100.00.  I also like the Bodum electric version, also, ya know, $100.00

At this time of year, my budget told me I should settle for the stove top, non-gift set pot, $50.00.

As we walked around the store, we saw several vintage vacuum coffee makers. Now, I had checked them out on eBay and saw several, but how do you know it works if it is electric? If it’s the stove top version, how do you know if they are safe?  Too risky. I felt the same way as I looked at those double bubbles on the shelves. 

“Buy me.”  It was a voice that sounded like June Allyson, gravely, but perky. I looked around. Nobody. I finished up scanning the shelf I was in front of and took one step forward. 

Voice: ”Buy me.” 

Me:  ”Who is that?

Voice:  ”It’s me, Cory, the vacuum coffee maker. Buy me.”  

Me: ”No, no. I don’t want to buy you. You’re not what I want.”

Cory: “You wanted a vacuum coffee maker. That’s what I am. Buy me.”

Me: ”No, you’re electric. I don’t know if you’ll work.”

Cory: “Got my cord, look at it, it looks new. Look at my chrome — all shiny and bright! Look at my gasket, how soft and supple it is! Touch my glass rod. It’s perfect.”

She was sounding less like June Allyson and more like Mae West.

Me: “No, now, I’m not going to do that. First, I don’t even know if you work, second, you’re chrome. I won’t be able to see the cool brewing action. Leave me alone.”

Cory:  ”I’m a Cory coffee maker.  I was named after my inventor, Harvey Cory. I’m historic.  I’m pretty.  I make an excellent cup of coffee.  I’m only 20 bucks.  Buy me.”

Me: “Okay, come on.

So away I went with my Kodak and my Cory.

We took her home, gave her a bath and made a pot of coffee. Now, normally, I don’t drink coffee in the evening. Too much caffeine. But that night, I was gonna have coffee. We examined all the bits and bobs, ground fresh beans in the KitchenAid grinder (really, you have got to get one of these!), filled her up with water and let her go.

She rumbled, she shimmied, she shook. She got quiet. We peeked in the top pot to see if she was empty. We prepared the cups, we poured, we sipped….Ah……it really was good. Not at all disappointing after such anticipation. It really is one of the smoothest cups of coffee I’ve ever had. Not at all bitter. Just steaming hot, silky smooth nirvana.  We’ve since acquired a glass stove top version — it’s a bit trickier, but we are practicing.  We have made coffee in one of these two pots everyday since we purchased Cory. Last Thursday, I took the Hamilton Beach Brewstation to the basement. She is covered up…waiting.  

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