Tenant Spotlight: A Place At The Table

Some restaurants have lines of people waiting out front for the doors to open during their initial first weeks as “foodies” attempt to be the first of their friends to say they have tried the new spot. But, as I sat in my car at 7:55AM on a recent Wednesday, I wondered, how many restaurants have a line at the door four and a half years after opening? It was clear that A Place At The Table is one of those places.

The people in line, myself included, may have been hungry for food and thirsty for a drink – I know I was – but what’s more, I think we were all hungry and thirsty for something else abundantly available inside, community.

Origin

A Place At The Table opened in January 2018 at 300 W Hargett St #50. Maggie Kane, the Founder and Executive Director had spent the previous three years “friendraising” to gather the resources and support to open the cafe.

Pay What You Can

A Place At The Table is one of 41 cafes across the globe – and one of four in North Carolina – that operate on a pay what you can model. At A Place At The Table, you, and everyone else, are given the same four options at the register:

• Pay the suggested menu price
• Donate a minimum for your meal
• Volunteer for your meal
• Pay it forward

Using this model, Maggie and her team have created a one-of-a-kind community where all are welcome, and everyone enjoys a fantastic meal, warm smiles, dignity, and choice. 

Growth

In 2021 after three years of operations, and 45,000 meals served, A Place At The Table expanded into the neighboring suite. The additional square footage not only expanded the available seating but also added in room for a full commercial kitchen. For the first years of operation, the kitchen staff served up all of their amazing soups, sandwiches, and lattes without access to a full commercial kitchen! 

Favorites

I typically go to A Place At The Table for lunch or coffee and always try to bring a friend. It is an easy walk from anywhere downtown for a work lunch or coffee meeting. 

When I go for lunch my favorites are the Black Bean Melt and the Hummus Pesto sandwich and the Turkey Bacon Avocado Club.

Conclusion

If you have never been to A Place At The Table, I hope you go soon, and take a friend! 

[Authors Note: When I typed in “take a friend” spellcheck wanted me to “correct” it to “make a friend”, which is especially fitting because you will likely also make a friend when you go to A Place At The Table]. 

If you have been before, what are your go-to meals? 

If you are looking for more information, check out the links below.

More Information

A Place at the Table

A Place at the Table Cafe (@tableraleigh) 

Our Cafes — One World Everybody Eats