The Palace Cafe is closing today, and — as the outpouring on social media suggests — it’s sad news for the people of Hillsdale. There’s a potential deal in the works that would reopen the building — and we hope that whoever does end up with the property will keep the old-school cafe running just as it has for a century.
Along with old-fashioned prices, The Palace has offered timeless charm: For college students caught up in screen technology, the cafe has decades-old mirrors and murals and floor tiles that sweep students away to days of old.
The Palace has seen many a late-night meal, and we hope a new owner would bring that tradition back. Locals and students crowded around its diner booths, engaged in lively conversation. Its famous pancakes — often the size of a large frying pan — are just one of many things that make The Palace an emblem in Hillsdale lore.
This is a small town, and The Palace is one of several businesses that make it home. For years, it has allowed students to become a part of the community. We’d be remiss to take for granted its small-town quirks, and we hope to see them again soon.
