Reply to Mokane-Mokane Country Market

After reading a couple of less than positive comments about Mokane, and in particular its country market, I find I must respond. As a displaced New Englander who has lived many years in small, rural Maine towns, I feel quite at home in the Mokane market. In fact, one of my wife and my favorite rides is the Bluffton to Mokane round trip, with lunch in the Mokane Market. Not only is the ride pretty and secluded, with plenty of the route directly along the Missouri River and very little anywhere near the highway, it takes us to a wonderful, if simple lunch at the market. The proprietors certainly don't cater to cyclists because they are focused on serving their farm community customers who come and go in a constant stream. But we always get our to-order sandwiches cheerfully made, pay a very modest price, and then contentedly eat them at the little tables in the window, watching the flow of people into and out of the store. Listening to the snatches of conversation between the people, and reading their community bulletin board, we get a good sense of life in the bustling, down to earth town. We don't expect them to take any particular notice of us, and I must say, it seems a bit self centered to do so. They serve a small farming community, and well, so it appears. I highly recommend this ride, and this stop. But I'll add this caveat. In the tiny town of Orland on the Maine coast, there is a popular local restaurant called Duffy's. Mr. Duffy has posted the following sign prominently outside his door: "We here at Duffy's are a family oriented restaurant. We aren't fussy, and we certainly aren't fancy. If you are, Bucksport is 11 miles west, and Ellsworth is 13 miles east." This might be the Mokane store. As for me, I fully intend to keep going back.

I grew up in Mexico, MO not too far from Mokane. I remember going to/through Mokane to fish on the Missouri River as a kid. I'm doing an end-to-end KATY ride next week. I look forward to passing through Mokane and comparing it to my childhood memories.

My experience at the Mokane Market was less than memorable. No breakfast type food available. The local fellows had no interest in chatting, not even to be polite. I ate my deli sandwich and moved on. I thanked one of the employees on the way out the door and she did not even acknowledge me. I especially found charming the peeling paint from the ceiling above the food prep area and the dude who made my sandwich without using plastic gloves. I guess the health department does not get to Mokane very often.