Sneaker's History
Many moons ago, a young upstart by the name of Pjoe, grew up along the banks
of the Winooski River with hoop dreams and a hunger that burned deep. He was
7' 14", 400 pounds and moved like a cat. He had six toes on his right
foot and two heels on his left. He said it gave him that extra pivoting edge
he needed. Needless to say, Pjoe's future looked pretty bright. NBA scouts
wanted him to skip college altogether and offered considerable sums of money.
But basketball wasn't Pjoe's only love. There was hollandaise.
The perfect hollandaise, Pjoe thought, transcended its gastronomical purpose
and became a metaphor for a culinary utopian society. It's homogenous suspension
of unlike particles that with a degree of energy, exists in a perfect balance
of richness and levity. Much like people, Pjoe thought. He would put his energy
and talent towards harmonizing the many differences in people and on that
day, Pjoe hung his mighty large basketball shoes up for good. His vision could
not be denied. His culinary creations were the stuff of legends and his gathering
place, which came to be known as Sneakers, 36 Main Street, Winooski, was the
hallowed ground where folks were drawn, not exactly knowing why but unable
to refuse the calling. Many unexplained phenomena coincided with the birth
of Sneakers. A crop design was discoved in Kansas depicting two eggs over
easy with bacon, homefries, and whole wheat toast. An ancient cave painting
was unearthed in New Mexico of a six-toed man with three heels flipping pancakes.
The prophecy had been fulfilled.
There was live music at Sneakers in those days. Ask some of the locals and
they will tell you with a tear in their eye that Pjoe was one heck of a banjo
picker. The extra toe was a really big help sometimes. Sadly, all the toes
in the world couldn't help the community from what would later be called "The
Big Bummer". Basketball and Breakfast were not Pjoe's only loves. There
was a hollow and dark void in Pjoe that could only be filled with pop-rocks
and Coca-Cola. It got a hold of Pjoe and cut him down in his prime along with
many other good men. His legacy lives on.
Soon after Pjoe's sad demise, Sneakers became a 1980's wonder under the stewardship
of Jack Hurly, Ken Russack, Clem Nilan and their wives. Jazz and Bluegrass
made Sneakers a happening nightspot for over 14 years. During this time, John
Gouvin took on the Sneakers legacy and manned the helm for 18 years. John
has been a good friend to the community and under his steady leadership Sneakers
has become a mainstay in the Winooski downtown. On any given day, all types
of people can be found mingling in front of Sneakers, waiting for their turn
to find out what the fuss is about. Inside, there is an air of something unique.
It's loose, friendly, and informal. You're home! Except you have to keep your
pants on. There are familiar faces everywhere and great ideas being made and
discussed. John made Sneakers what it is today. Job well done. Alas, after
18 years, John's wife missed him and he decided to pass the torch on to longtime
Sneakers chef Marc Dysinger.
Marc and his wife Jean Dysinger of the Winooski Dysingers are supremely glad
to carry on the Sneakers tradition and continue serving the community the
same great experience. Marc is a kitchen whiz who has been known to bake twenty-minute
brownies in fifteen flat and once defended a small African village from flesh
eating ants with nothing more than a spatula and tongs. In his former years
he flew on thirteen shuttle missions and his research on cappuccino foam finally
solved those fickle "O" ring problems. Jean of course, wrote the
now famous twelve-step self-help book called Coping with Marriage to a Peculiar
Chef, now in its sixth edition.
So come rediscover the legend. There is sure to be something on the menu that
will blow your hair back. Also, consider Sneakers for your next get together.
Sneakers dresses up very well at night and is an intimate setting for parties
of 40 people or less. Your friends will wonder how you ever got so much class.
Need a breakfast cater in your office? Sneakers will take it on the road for you.
Stuck in the Main Street traffic? Don't drive angry. Why not stop in for some
take-out coffee and cinnamon roll. Just the thing to elevate you above all those
other rotten heathenous yahoos on your road. Need a gift for mother? Nothing says
I love you like granola. Grab a bag on your way out. It's homemade and wicked
good.
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