The Cheese Wheel and Sandwich Board (The Wheel) is a little lunch place in St. Augustine, Florida. It is very busy from 11-2 every day. It is a treasure to the natives of St. Augustine and a fun find for the tourists. To my family and me, it is an extension of home.
Last week my Aunt Antje and Uncle Mike closed their doors to enter a well-deserved retirement. They began running The Wheel in 1986 and sold their business this week. The Wheel will live on for the residents and tourists of St. Augustine, but it really won't be the same for me. When I go, I can't enter through the back door. I won't get to enjoy New Year's Eve pizza with my Hesson family. My children won't leave with the free candy Uncle Mike hides in their pockets. Aunt Antje won't pull up a chair, complete with apron on and towel over her shoulder, to visit.
Some of my earliest memories are from The Wheel. There used to be a farm adjacent to the restaurant. I use the term farm loosely. They had chickens mostly and a few of our guinea pigs that my mom snuck in when she was tired of taking care of them. I loved going to that farm. For a few months we lived in the neighborhood across the street from The Wheel. It was in walking distance and we went on our own to get lunch and chips and candy. Dad seemed to be fixing the ice machine every few months. I was always impressed how my cousin Monica didn't even need to write our order down. I remember when they still did pizzas and delivery in the evenings. On Fridays we'd go down and have pizza night. I'd sit on the counter and eat cold pepperonis and watch the pizza delivery guy, Louie, draw the special for the next day on the chalkboard. He was in high school when I was a kid and was so cool.
Aunt Antje and Uncle Mike threw one last pizza party over the weekend. Ethan and I drove up to bid adieu to The Wheel.
Dad, Uncle Bob, Uncle Mike, and Uncle George. The four brothers who started it all when they purchased The Wheel in 1985.
Tatum, Aunt Antje, Uncle Mike, Monica, and Kelly. Aunt Antje and Uncle Mike took over ownership and management in 1986. They are amazing.
Matt, Jennifer, Lucas, Caden, Jim, Uncle Bob, Aunt Dorothy, Uncle Mike, Aunt Antje, and Kevin. Some of my fondest memories are with these three cousins (Jim, Matt, and Kevin). We are the same ages and spent a lot of time together when the Hesson's got together.
Michael, Brianne, Laurie, Uncle Mike, Aunt Antje, Aunt Alice, Hila, Uncle George, Diane, and George. More family that I love dearly. As a child, Stacey and I would walk to Michael and Laurie's apartment to play board games. They were so cool to put up with us.
Tony, Ethan, Me, Uncle Mike, Aunt Antje, Mom, Dad, Lyla, Logan, Stacey, Joe, and Noah. I love my family!
A third generation of Hesson's enjoying pizza! Ethan ate about four slices. Noah thoroughly enjoyed his first slice of pizza.
Dad making a pie.
My family on The Wheel's bench. Many a great conversation happened right here.
All of us out front on Sunday. Aunt Antje finishing up a pizza. The sign that's been up forever, plus a new addition that should have been up forever.
Aunt Antje and Uncle Mike thank you for being you and taking such great care of us over the years. I have a lifetime of fond memories because of your generosity and kindness. I am so blessed to be a Hesson. I love you very much. The Wheel may have been an extension of home, but the truth is home is my family. And I'll always have that.
