Waterbury Democrat., 1902-04-02
HoDsoNs BRIGHT CAFE.
Success Attained After Seventeen
 Years of Hard Work.

success AlIa1ueQ AIIeT SeNSulSeh
 Years of Hard Work.
 When on August II, 1885, James W. Hodson assumed the ownership of the Exchange cafe, there were many in this city who predicted that it would have very short existence and that whatever little money he .might be the possessor of, he would bury it in the ruins left by the other proprietors who had gone before him. Coming here from Thomaston, total stranger al- most, yet he began at once to make friends among the best people in the city and those predictions which were so certain of realization in 1885 are now things of the past. The cafe which had been opened by so many and in which so many had sunk their money has prospered under the regime of James ". Hodson until to-day it is one of the leading cafes of the state. The old building in which it is To- cated has been changed from top to bottom by the present proprietor and where for fiften years it had not re- ceived a coat of paint it to-day pre- sents a very respectable appearance. l Successful in the cafe, he began to branch out and a year or two ago he purchased the building fronting on l West Main street which connected with his place in the rear. The first 1 floor of this building he converted into a billiard and pool room and it has the reputation of being the best equipped for the purpose of any hall in New England. The upper floors of this building are used by Mrs c. NJ. Mason l as an apartment house. Within the past year another department has been added to the business which has been so steadily growing. A handsome ! cafe where lunches of all kinds can be l served and where you are sure of the best ill the market has been recently l fitted up. One feature of this cafe which will make it as popular as any thing else is the fact that an a la
 carte dinner wills be served every day from 11:30 to ? o'clock. The cafe has
 been newly reftted throughout and tht
 kitchen, which has been removed tc | the basement of the building, is as vel I equipped as any in Connecticut. Above
 the cafe proper is the Exchange hotel Irun by Cliff Pond. This part of tht 1 building was also leased by J. w. Hod son. but has been subleased to Pond. I While of course the first credit mus
 be given to James W. Hodson himself
 for the success of this mammoth busi
 ness, goodly share of the credi
 should be given to the brother of tht
 proprietor. Frank Hodson, who ha
 been the promoter of all the improve
 ments and who has worked night ant
 day to make the business what it i
 to-day. He is in full charge of tn
 cafe proper and under him in this par
 of the building are the following gen
 tlemen who are artists in their lin
 of business: Frank Huber, Jame ! Doyle, Joe Hosey. Joe Barry, Joh
 Mulcahy, John ClarlSin and Williar , Thrall. Tn the billiard apartmen i James w. Hodson is in charge. A , though lie assumes the charge of tn 7 whole establishment, he makes thi portion of the building his headqual , ters. As assistants he has Jake Bei ninger and George Bauby. In tn , grill room. or cafe the head chef is . , N. Robillard, one of the most expel 7 in his business in this portion of th I state; John Kleb. assistant chef, an
 walters. Karl Duchell and Georg D Munroe. With this corps of gentle
 men to wait on you in each depar |, ment it will be difficult to find a fla !, anywhere and the courteous treatmeT t accorded to each customer has prougl ' the business to where it is to-day, o1 of the best in New England.