“Gilmore Girls” fans flock to Saint Paul cafés

The October 5th Anniversary of the television show’s pilot brought Luke’s locally.

Francheska Crawford Hanke, Reporter

To celebrate and promote the upcoming release of “Gilmore Girl’s” revival, Netflix created 250 pop-up cafes around the nation with Luke’s Diner classic signage. Fans in lines wrapped around the block at both Saint Paul spots dedicated to get inside despite wait times averaging two hours based on all accounts.

Was it worth the wait? Fan Mychael Jones said, “Absolutely.”

Dogwood Coffee Bar and Swede Hollow Café both decorated with a press-on Luke’s Diner logo sign out front and fitted inside with snarky Luke-like signage demanding, “No cell phones.” Baristas served up coffee in flannel with Luke’s Diner coffee sleeves and a collection of surprise quotes from the caffeine-loving Lorelai. In addition, the first 200 people in the door received free twelve ounce coffees.

The entire environment tried to mimic the familiar café in Stars Hollow.

“You feel like you’re part of the show,” Madeline St. Martin, who “spontaneously drove here by myself” in a rush to not miss the event.

Most of the turnout was dedicated fans. Both the lines and the tables inside became a place to “meet fun people and talk about the show,” Jones said.

Hamline Alum Jennifer Larson Dreher said, “It was fun because we sat by this other mom and daughter too. We played the music from the opening of the show.”

The special event fell on the 16 year anniversary of “Gilmore Girls,” Oct. 5, and is meant to drum up more support for the November release of the revival series set to come to Netflix on Nov. 25.