Dana’s Future Graduation Pop-up Restaurant

When I was in kindergarten we lived on the street that dead ended into my elementary school.  What that meant is that many of the kids who lived within a mile of the school walked passed my house to get to and from school.  Since kindergarten was only half day and I went in the morning I quickly discovered a great business in having a regular cookie and lemonade stand when the kids walked home from school.  I did it multiple days so kids learned to have a nickel to buy the cookie for three cents and Dixie cup of lemonade for two.  It was a good tax free business.
Later in third grade I sold nickel packages of Sweet Tart filled Jaw Breakers for a quarter since they were a hot candy commodity that was in short supply at the Wilton Pharmacy.  I quickly learned that rich kids had money to burn and were perfectly happy to pay five times the regular rate just to get their hands on the sweet and sour treat.
This weekend is both UNC and Duke’s graduation as well as Mother’s Day.  Local restaurants are taking full advantage of the proud parents coming to town to celebrate their child’s matriculating achievement.  I learned yesterday that the Washington Duke is making hay by charging $31 for a salad.  Russ somehow got us a reservation at Four Square tonight for dinner, but we had to pre-pay $100 and agree to a $68 three course menu plus 18% tip right off the bat.
I realized I am missing my childhood training of making the most of a hungry situation by not running a pop-up restaurant in my house this weekend.  With the great success of Air B&B I think that I certainly could do the same plan, but for lunch and dinner.  Feeding large numbers of people delicious food is something I am trained to do.  How have I lived in a University town for so long and not taken advantage of the people wanting to come and celebrate?
There must be some parents, probably of a son, who are furious that they are having to eat dinner at Wendy’s because their boy did not try and make any reservations for their party of twelve before last week. I know it is too late for this year, but if I put the word out now that I am willing to cater a big graduation party at my house for just the right family I think I could do almost as well as I did with the jaw breakers.  I have enough China and plenty of space that I could have three or four parties all at the same time.
If this goes well I might also consider making Mother’s Day brunch here.  I would rather be making and serving really good food, than eating mediocre food at the only place available in Durham on graduation weekend.
No more complaining about what graduation does to us locals.  Rather than grumble I’m going to capitalize on the situation, um I mean offer a much needed service to the poor parents who are being fleeced, um I mean provided the opportunity to celebrate their child.  Pass the word, Dana’s Graduation spot will be taking reservations for next year.