the closing of the cafe is surely a sad thing.
i first went to the cafe when i was in college, then when i took my first job downtown in 1977. and i "found" it again when i started working downtown again several years ago after being out in the burbs for years. i loved going here for lunch as it was quick, it was not pricey, and the food was consistently good. nothing fancy. no tofu. no edible art. just the kind of comfort food your mom would make.
since i moved to arizona and come back monthly for business trips, it is still on my list of places to hit while i am here. i was scheduled to meet a friend there today :(
i am so sorry to see that John lost everything in an attempt to keep his dream alive. and i am sorry for pittsburgh as yet another independent is lost. hopefully, the building will not turn into yet another fast food joint or over-priced noveau cuisine establishment. no matter what - it will never be able to replace the cafe.