No end of surprises

Press, 14 July 1982, Page 27

No end of surprises

Eelco Boswijk. the proprietor of Nelson's most fascinating coffee shop and eating house, Chez Eelco. has proven himself to be quite an innovator to the' city scene ever since his arrival 21 years ago. ■

Situated at the southern end. of Trafalgar Street, at the foot of Church Hill and opposite the city council offices. Chez Eelco has been there quite a while but still always offers a surprise for both the regular and casual visitor.

Besides the excellent coffee .(served with milk and whipped cream, white sugar and coffee crystals) and a large menu (specialising somewhat in steaks), the comfortable cafe offers a variety of seating and an art gallery in the back section. Outside, there is a row of sidewalk tables and seats, with umbrellas popped up during the finer weather.

Eelco will also be remembered for the chess games which he organised three years ago on the steps to the cathedral with huge, wooden chess pieces.

"The figures' had photo faces of politicians on them, including Patricia Bartlett as the queen, and Mr Muldoon as the king/’ Eelco recalls. “This was good fun for the town and for the tourist buses, which drove past with amazed faces looking out of the windows.

"The chessmen were all solid pieces which lived in a waggon when not out for the

game. It was a great success but we could not hold it this year because we could not get the staff." . Chez Eeloo also featured the amateur Garrick Tehatre. as an off-shoot of repertory. in the gallery section. “We presented a coffee with the show on a high stage." Eelco said. “However. during the last couple of years, we have cut down on the shows because there has been a lack of producers and they take too much time to present.

"The works in- the art gallery are changed every fortnight, and I like to-main-tain the arty, bohemian atmosphere.

"I like to think of this cafe as a' railway station waiting room — back in the days when trains were less frequent and there were more delays.

"It certainly does not have the dirt and 'dust of a railway. station, but people can come and stay as long as they like here.

"Chez Eelco has been open for 21 years but the place is still as vital as when we started. It is the people who make it. and we only contribute by providing a service.