Someone Should Reopen This Beloved Grand Junction Restaurant Right Away

You haven't lived until you've been to Talley's. This Grand Junction restaurant closed a number of years ago, and it's time somebody brought it back.

Talley's, or 'Talley's Big Biscuit,' was located in the 600 block of Main Street in Grand Junction, just a few doors West of the Avalon Theatre. This "breakfast" restaurant was the coolest place in town.

Almost every DJ in Grand Junction, along with about two-thirds of the employees from the IRS building at 4th and Rood, would visit Talley's on a daily basis. It was beyond tradition... it was a ritual.

What was the great thing about Talley's? Everything. Breakfast was great. Coffee was great. As a matter of fact, I'm surprised I didn't get 86ed from the place. I pounded far more than my share of coffee. No doubt I exceeded the restaurant's limits, or for that matter, the limits of common courtesy, by drinking cup after cup after cup.

Prior to being a restaurateur, Mr. Talley made a name for himself as a professional wrestler. Autographed photos of his friends and costars from his wrestling days lined the northwest corner.

Mrs. Talley used to see me editing music scores while in the restaurant. As it turns out, in her youth, she had performed as a cellist. I'm not sure if this is commonly known.

Talley's building had been around forever. The restaurant actually occupied two units. There was a back room most people probably didn't know about. I went there for years before I knew about it. Nothing super-secret happened back there; it was just extra seating.

Sadly, Talley's closed a number of years ago. Mr. Talley felt it was time to retire, and the restaurant's manager, Dyan, chose to pursue other options. The reconstruction of Main Street, combined with a lousy economy, probably didn't help matters.

Every once in a while a business comes along you really enjoy. I loved Talley's. If I had a Talley's T-shirt, I would wear it (every day). I wish it were still here. Given the fact it isn't, perhaps it's time somebody reopened it. I don't have a dime to my name, otherwise, I would. How about you?