Ellie-Ellen's Bakery & Tea Room

Where Gossip and Secrets Become Mysteries to Investigate

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Melody Rice by ROD w/Midjourney

Gazette News Travel Guide

From the desk of Melody Rice, Reporting from Crooked Mile

MRice Log Date 1907
Melody Rice is a Crooked Mile local, who takes her reporting position seriously. If her reviews do not appeal to readers, she asks they contact her supervisor at the Gazette News, a flighty gentleman who doesn't take her seriously. It is likely her supervisor won't bother to discuss concerns and complaints with Melody. Nothing he says seems to go through her ear and out the other. Neither does his admonition take residence inside her brain matter.

Melody Rice Desk by ROD w/Midjourney

The only public eateries in Crooked Mile are Marvel’s Boarding House and Ellie-Ellen’s Bakery & Cafe. Although the boarding house residents rarely complain about their meals, they mostly prefer dining at the bakery. She recruits culinary students from the Briar Bank College Annex. From a block away, customers can catch a whiff of the baking bread. Since the building is only a pleasant walk from the Chapter House, it is the Circle’s choice place to eat. 
Professor Lizzie Ogden, Ellie-Ellen's sister, assists in decorating festive cakes every Saturday. This task is a stark contrast to teaching college students about obscure history. Near her, a barista is serving steaming hot coffee and tea at the counter. Come noon, the tables are occupied by shoppers, indulging in their food, drinks, and conversation.

Bakery & Cafe Specials

Ellie-Ellen's Bakery by ROD w/Midjourney

Ellie-Ellen's Bakery & Cafe

Ellie-Ellen's Bakery by ROD w/Midjourney

You can find the bakery and tea room at Crooked Mile's southeast corner. A newly constructed two-story brick building with Edwardian maple furniture, a modern 1907 kitchen, and attic dormers that are more ornamental than functional. The first-floor front windows, which allow diners to look outside and pedestrians to look inside, serve as an inspiration for Gazette social columnist Melody Price. While eating her scone and drinking cups of hot mint tea, she spends whatever time she can spare watching who enters and exits. The Odgens can't bring themselves to ask for payment. They are aware that she serves as their best advertisement.

The local bakery in Crooked Mile, Ellie-Ellen's, is a popular spot for residents heading to the train or those not going to the Fairelands. The only restaurant in town that's perfect for meeting neighbors. The Crooked Mile Committee meets there twice weekly to discuss their plans for the public meeting at the Courthouse.
Ellie-Ellen and her sister, Dr. Elizabeth Ogden, reside on the upper floor of the house. The bakery was Elizabeth's idea. Spouter’s Tavern is the only other place to meet, but it doesn’t open until 2:00 pm.
The Bakery closes at 3:00 pm. It also serves as a tearoom. In contrast to the other buildings in Crooked Mile, this one stands out with its cheery facade adorned with flower boxes filled with geraniums and ivy. Getting to the Briarbank College Annex is so convenient that students can make it between classes without being late.
The Crooked Mile Gazette's journalists are regular visitors to the bakery. It serves as an important spot for them to unearth gossip that may evolve into a story. Without fail, Melody Rice visits the baker at least once daily. Her residence is at the boarding house, but she prefers to have her tea at the bakery. Ellie often shares her day old breads and pastries with her. Lizzie is hesitant about Melody's intentions, as she suspects she may be trying to uncover the Circle's investigation. Lizzie is sure that Melody shares whatever gossip is she not using for Gazette columns.