A Celebration of Community at Ed’s Coffee Shop

When we speak or think of “community”, how far do our thoughts go? Does the concept include just our neighbors, friends and the active elements such as police and fire, our local government, the aggregate of shops and other public venues? For a few hours on the evening of December 13th those questions were firmly addressed and answered.

At Ed’s Coffee Shop on Robertson, the amiable proprietor, Ada, had arranged a retirement party last night for her most venerable employee, Danny Munoz. It was a celebration of the 30 years Danny had been serving customers at one of West Hollywood’s oldest and favorite restaurants. For about three hours, starting with the initial crowd of about 35 (Ed’s is not very large), perhaps another 30 came in as their schedules allowed to wish Danny well. Mayor Meister brought a Danny Munoz Proclamation. Families attended and dogs were trotted in to wag hello. A few tears were shed as Ada spoke of her long association with Danny. His associates were all there, all a part of the ecelbration.

To substantiate my own feelings about Ed’s, I looked up Yelp and a couple of other guides to see what other folk had to say. I found not a single grumpy comment and almost all were of the five-star variety. In a world full of complaints I ask – how did that happen? The answer, of course, is a man like Danny who made his job large by embracing his customers, by anticipating their needs and fulfilling their requests. While some might feel that a waiter’s job was hardly one which could be enlarged, many others know that Danny was able to do that because he truly cared about his work.

But, wait. There’s more to Danny than most people know. He is also Daniel T. Munoz, president of Associated Historical Societies of Los Angeles County. The motto (we say mission these days) is “Helping Los Angeles County historical societies coordinate, promote and thrive.” Apparently, things are working well and the group includes over 20 principal LA County cities, including Los Angeles. Perhaps there will be a West Hollywood Historical Society one day to join the crowd. I also know that Danny maintains a well-stocked library.

So, what some people bring to work is their better self, whether he be the CEO, the sales clerk or the waiter. Danny is a man I have pointed out to my three boys as an example of how to maintain good temperament in a difficult arenas where the customer is always right – even when he isn’t. Thus, the party was to celebrate his 30 years and partial retirement because we’ll still get to see him a day or two every week at Ed’s. Never the less, I know he will be putting more effort into his historical society activities. Thanks for all those years, Danny.