These days, most restaurants are limited to takeout and delivery — but there’s at least one place offering table service to hungry patrons.
This tiny café for wildlife.
James Vreeland
James Vreeland is a fan of animals, and has always left out food in feeders for squirrels and birds living near his home in Detroit.
Recently, however, he decided to take that thoughtful gesture one step further — by offering them a more luxurious place to enjoy their meals.
James Vreeland
In his free time, he crafted several little benches and placed them in his yard with an inviting entrance.
He gave the new establishment a fancy name: Maison du Noix — French for “The Nut House.”
James Vreeland
“We’ve been offering an opening course of a seed medley, followed by peanuts on the full shell, house-cut bread sticks, and a dessert of counter-softened apples,” Vreeland told The Dodo.
Here’s the menu:
James Vreeland
Not surprisingly, given that tasty spread, it wasn’t long before customers came pouring in to enjoy the free food Vreeland had set out for them.
“The squirrels and blue jays have been loving it,” Vreeland said.
James Vreeland
Though it’s intended for animals, they’re not the only ones enjoying the wildlife café. For Vreeland, his neighbors, and folks watching a livestream of the café online, it’s been a feast for the eyes as well.
“The response from humans has been pretty great with people stopping all the time to take a photo or watch the frenzy,” Vreeland said.
Indeed, business is booming at Maison du Noix — and though Vreeland isn’t exactly earning a profit, knowing that his furry and feathered patrons are happy and fed is all the thanks he needs.