Watertown Library The Watertown Free Public Library.
The Watertown Free Public Library Board of Library Trustees shared the following announcement:
The Red Leaf Café will be leaving its location in the Watertown Free Public Library on September 30, 2024. Thank you to Donald Bleech for his dedicated service to this community during the past 15 years. Donald has been a fixture in our library, and he will be missed.
There will be an interruption to cafe and vending services beginning October 1, 2024. We expect the space to be available for use to patrons who have snacks with them during this time.
O’some Café will be opening a location in the library café space later this fall. Upon opening, O’some will offer a variety of coffees, open-faced sandwiches, and snacks. Thank you for your patience during this transition.
About WFPL
The Watertown Free Public Library provides access to a wide variety of popular materials, resources, services, and programs that fulfill the informational, cultural, and recreational needs of Watertown and surrounding communities. Our Library works to create an environment that attracts and welcomes users of all ages and abilities. watertownlib.org
Thank you to Donald for all his work! (From your old neighbor on Kenrick St)
And yay for more O’Some!
Good Luck Donald. You were always so nice and kind to my kids and provided a wonderful safe space for the citizens and kids and students in the area. Thank you for your 15 years at the WFPL.
Oh Donald, you will be missed. Even though I didn’t use the cafe much, mostly to browse for books to buy, I occasionally got a snack. I so appreciate your dedicated to the space, the people visiting, and the care you always provided me. I remember once you walked me to the other side of the library to show me the drop-off box for used books. Thank you!! Wishing you all the best as you move forward and again, thank you for your tenure at WFPL!
From my occasional observations, Donald should have gotten social work pay for all the attention he paid to the needs of the kids gathering and getting snacks at the cafe. I hope the new proprietor will offer the same sensitivity and care for the young visitors and those parents who come with their kids for a little quiet time. Thanks, and wishing you a good journey.
Oh what a disappointment. I always have looked forward to seeing you at the Red Leaf on my visits to the Boston area. During my years living in Watertown and in West Newton (2011-13), the library and cafe were a regular destination. Very best to you in your next chapter, Donald. Clearly you’ll be missed by many and remembered by many.
Dan in New York