Volume 5, Issue 1

Jan 2008

It goes without saying that Hillyard does a remarkable job of keeping the tradition of the deep-rooted town alive with antique stores on every corner and a tavern here and there. Hillyard has also preserved the main purpose behind it’s existence in the first place which was the Great Northern Railroad’s rail yard.

This piece of history located in the heart of Hillyard, along with the mural of James J. Hill himself, helps to remind the people in the area just where their town started off at. The pride of the citizens of this tight knit community is felt in every aspect and practically bubbles over as you pass through the town .

Despite maintaining the old ways of the town, new businesses and establishments, such as the Bubble Machine Car Wash to the Hillyard Skate park, are certainly making their presence felt in the old time neighborhood. This can be seen by driving 20 mph through the area and looking on either side of you.

One business in particular has done an especially good job of incorporating the long-established atmosphere of Hillyard, in with a modern taste of the rest of Spokane. Who could have possibly brought this new business into the Market Street District of Spokane?

That enthusiastic spirit would be AnneMarie Lewis. Growing up in the San Francisco area and graduating from Half Moon Bay High School, she obviously was not born into the Hillyard scene. Although she did not grow up here, going on 25 years of living in the region is more than enough to call her part of the Hillyard community.

Lewis is the proud new owner of  her business called the Antique Chic Café, which holds the many titles of being an antique store, café, and a nice place to sit down for lunch. This new enterprise gives off a relaxed ambiance and a calming setting.

Despite being in and out of food services all of her life, Lewis said, “I never planned on opening a store.” This led me to wonder what she had been doing in Spokane all of these years if she hadn’t been working in the food industry. The answer was very interesting.

Having a passion for books and all literature, it would only make sense that Lewis originally thrived in a career dealing mainly with authors. She is the one responsible for bringing many writers to the Spokane area when she worked at Conscious Living.

One of many authors Lewis has had the pleasure of being able to work with is Dan Millman. Millman is a self-help writer who has an ongoing list of books he has available on shelves. One especially, “Way of the Peaceful Warrior” can be read or rented because it was not only published, but also turned into a movie made for the big screen.

Overall though, when speaking to Lewis, the highlight of her career may have been when she got to work with the prominent Deepak Chopra, a highly educated M.D. who has published many books on holistic medicine. Lewis revealed that the very distinguished Chopra would have to be at the top of her list for authors. 

We also have Lewis to thank for the network hit “Crossing Over with John Edwards” seeing as she acted as a stepping stone for the world renowned psychic to get where he is today. Edwards, among many others, got started with the help of Lewis introducing them to their publishers.

Still, I was curious as to what could have made Lewis switch into the food business for this chapter of her life.

“Anything that has to do with history, food , and travel, I’m there.” Lewis said.

Lewis is a very well rounded person when it comes to going on expeditions to new places. She says that among all places she has ever traveled to, Scotland and the Azores Islands would have to be her favorite.

With all of the travels, experiences, and passion for the jobs that she does, it is very fortunate for the people of Hillyard that Lewis felt that this was the right place for her business to be successful in.

“We’re excited to be here. It really is a cute neighborhood, but it is the people that make it.” Lewis stated. So the next time you have a chance, stop in to the Antique Chic Café at 5019 N. Market St. and give the soups, which Lewis only picked out the best, or the grilled Paninis a try along with any type of coffee you could ever imagine.

© Historic-Hillyard.com

Jan 2008