POUGHKEEPSIE – For 25 years, Greg Letterii has been feeding hundreds of customers a day at Cafe Primavera on Market Street in Poughkeepsie. Situated next to the Bardavon Opera House, the cafe served Dutchess County employees, elected officials, judges, and anyone else who wanted food cooked to order for breakfast or lunch. That came to an end on Friday when Leterii served his last sandwich and closed the doors just after 2 pm.
On Friday, the cafe, one of the few Poughkeepsie eateries to stay open during the pandemic, had a line of patrons longer than in the past few months. “The economy is hurting everyone, and small businesses are struggling,” the beloved Letterii told Mid-Hudson News. “Today I’ve seen customers who used to be here every day but have retired and moved away, but came back one last time when they heard the news. It’s been a very emotional day.”
In addition to the regular customers at the cafe, Letterii was known for always being available to provide catering, even at the last minute, when a local law firm or office needed a platter of wraps or a tray of ziti that day. The walls of the cafe were covered in 8 x 10 headshots of dozens of famous musicians, actors, and comedians who had performed at the Bardavon over the years. Letterii was the “Chef to the Stars” and prepared the specially ordered meals for the performers, who were always willing to provide an autographed picture.
“Twenty-five years is a long time,” Letterii said. “I’m going to miss seeing the customers every day, but I am definitely not going to miss getting here before dawn each day to start prepping the day’s foods.”
Letterii’s tireless energy took him beyond the cafe and up Main Street to the Town of Poughkeepsie, where many people have found him serving drinks at the Arlington Bar and Grill. He has also hinted at not retiring but rather a career change that will keep him within the city limits during the week. Without giving the new opportunity away, cafe customers are encouraged to keep an eye out for Letterii around Poughkeepsie.
Comments