Carl Rowan, Gamers Cafe and the Open Cash Register

What if I told you that there was once a cafe in Uptown Butte that let you act as your own cashier when you were ready to pay?  Many of you youngsters may not bat an eye,  It's commonplace nowadays to prepay with an app or a kiosk that accepts cards.  But we're talking about the days before the internet, mobile pay and even debit cards.  This place was legendary for a lot of things but the one that made this place truly unique was that there was a cash register but no cashier.  The cash register, in fact, was turned around and you paid your own bill and made your own change.  According to the cafe's late manager, according to legend, nobody ever stole a dime.

A lot of you older folks will remember this as the iconic Gamers Cafe which operated at 15 W. Park Street under the legendary Carl Rowan.  Carl genuinely loved and trusted people.  Yes, the register actually faced out.  Could you imagine any restauranteur trying that today?  I remember eating at Gamers growing up and my father always having a conversation with the smiling Carl before we left.  Carl made you feel special when you were there but he made everybody feel special.  His good spirit and unique business model even was featured on a national morning television program back in the 1980s.

Recently while doing some housekeeping, I came across an old Gamers menu from the early 1990s and the memories came back so strong, I could practically smell the pancakes.  The prices definitely look like something out of the past.  I miss those days.  I miss Gamers.  And I definitely don't think I'll find any place that lets me make my own change.