Steve Wiley Reflects On Piccadilly Cafeteria Closing

A few weeks ago we learned that Brother's on the Boulevard is closing its doors after more than 40 years in business. Now we're informed the Piccadilly Cafeteria location in the Lafayette Oil Center will close this Sunday, October 27. This is personal, and a little sad for me. I worked at both establishments as a young man.

When I arrived in Lafayette as a young man of 22, my first job was manager trainee at the Piccadilly Cafeteria on Arnold Boulevard at Johnston Street. After a few months, I was transferred to the Oil Center location on Coolidge Boulevard. I was eventually promoted to assistant manager and worked there for about two years. It was a little bit of a culture shock for a young man who grew up in upstate New York, near the Canadian border. That being said, it was a great learning experience.

After I left the Piccadilly, I went to work at Brother's on the Boulevard and became the assistant manager in the men’s department. Brother Abdalla was big on training and product knowledge. I learned a lot about salesmanship and some interesting fundamentals of human psychology. My success in selling men’s clothing really boosted a young man’s confidence. Brother's on the Boulevard, and the Oil Center Piccadilly have been Lafayette landmarks for decades. I’m sad to see them go.

[KATC]