The Story of "Tolliver and Poe"

In 1897 Randolph Tolliver and Alexander Poe, two young men from a small hamlet in Sullivan County, decided to find new worlds to conquer.  They had attended a small one-room school house, held odd jobs and grew up to be ambitious young men who concluded that there was more for them than their rural hamlet had to offer.

At eighteen years of age they left the rustic Delaware River village, with little money, small belongings and high hopes they commenced their journey of noble expectations.  Two years later, with but meager earnings and no great success they found themselves jobs in the stockyards of Chicago.

They grew up, they grew strong, and they grew wise.  Confined to a dismal and unpleasant workplace and subjected to a joyless occupation with little hope for monetary growth or advancement they left the stockyards; but not Chicago.  Through a fortunate act of providence their lives changed.  While eating in a small diner near their boarding house in downtown Chicago, a fortunate sequence of events occurred.

The man and wife, owners of the diner were pleasant, friendly and had established a loyal clientele.  The food was simple but good. The two young men worked at odd jobs and spent their evening hours at the establishment, conversing with the proprietors.  Through casual conversation they were unknowingly gathering knowledge of the operational procedures, practices, ways and means of the little, homey eatery.

Three months after their first visit to the comfortable diner the husband was killed in an untimely accident.  Their brief encounter with him and his wife had established a pleasant and amiable relationship.  Upon learning of his death they visited the diner but found it closed.  The two young men sought out the widow and extended their condolences.  She was terribly distraught and told them that she was leaving to return to her family in Oklahoma and offered the restaurant to them.  Not having much money they suggested a small down payment with a promise to send the balance in small installments.  She liked them, trusted them and accepted their offer.

Thus was born “Tolliver & Poe”

In time with dedication and perseverance it became a paradigm of dining excellence, a culinary legend, and not only in Chicago.  Through word of mouth it grew in small but successful stages.  Not long after it was known to all circles where gourmands gathered, along with those who enjoyed food that was tempting, savory, provocative and supremely delightful to the palate.  All were offered and served in a friendly and warm climate of comfortable surroundings.

Tolliver & Poe was created as an upscale restaurant in Monticello, New York.  It was a mistake in judgment.  The quiet hamlet of Hurleyville was more in tune with Randolph Tolliver and Alexander Poe’s original vision, and so we moved, and gave birth to Luzon Station.  The name was chosen to honor the original name of the hamlet in which we resided.  After months of hard, hard work we opened quietly with little fan-fair. We were so very well received and we were happy with our success.

And so, in their honor and with our sincere respect for their resolve and high-principled professionalism we re-confirm and re-establish their excellence and their estimable and praiseworthy reputation.

We hope we can please you, as they would expect us to do.  

In 2004 we were forced to close our doors for good. For reasons not expressed to me, our landlords would not renew our lease, nor would they sell us the building that became a home for us and a destination for so many others. The decision to close was one of the hardest I've ever made, but as is said "Everything happens for a reason".  Luzon Station was an extraordinary experience and the defining portion of my professional life.

                                                                                            Jonathan Sunshine

HEARTY APPETITE!

The Tolliver & Poe Chairs and Chess Set
(Original Sculpture by Kathy Smith)