The General

About this location

A few stories people tell about this place

1. At closing time, an elderly gentleman always walked into The General’s lobby, pulled out his violin, and began playing soft melodies that seemed to come from another era. No one knew who he was or why he did it, but everyone agreed—his music made the place feel special. One day a young delivery driver asked him, ‘Sir, may I ask what you’re playing?’ With a twinkle in his eye, the old man replied, ‘It’s Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony.’ The driver nodded politely, then said, ‘I thought it sounded like “Happy Birthday.”’ The old man smiled and simply replied, ‘Ah, well, they both start with the same notes!’

2. At closing time, a little girl would run into The General’s lobby and gasp in amazement as a delivery driver whistled for his horse-drawn carriage to appear from around the corner. Finally, she’d wave goodbye as the carriage disappeared down the street, leaving everyone in the lobby laughing and whispering about how peculiar yet charming it was. A regular customer leaned over to the delivery driver and asked, ‘Do you always bring your horse here?’ To which he replied with a smile, ‘Only when I’m late.’

3. At closing time, a delivery driver always popped in for one last coffee. But no one knew why he’d suddenly start humming ‘Happy Birthday’ whenever he saw the night manager. Finally, someone asked the night manager what was up with the birthday song. Turned out, she shared the same birthday as the delivery driver’s long-lost sister—whom he hadn’t seen since childhood. Now every evening, they’d sing together before locking up, making The General’s closing moments a little bit magical.

4. At closing time, a neighbor would casually stroll into The General’s lobby, pick up the phone, and dial a random number. ‘Hello?’ he’d whisper, listening intently before hanging up with a satisfied smile. One night, a delivery driver entered the lobby just as the neighbor picked up the phone again. He overheard the whispered conversation and asked curiously, ‘Who are you calling so late?’ With a sly grin, the neighbor hung up and replied, ‘Just checking if my friend is still awake.’