Dine 909 likes to practice what we preach.

Sometimes it pays off.

Like a couple of Thursdays ago, when I decided to show up for the grand re-opening of the Upland Mimi’s Cafe.

Of course, it’s not the first time I attended a “Meet Me at Mimi’s” event. It may not be the last.

Mimi’s Cafe has been celebrating their grand openings and remodelings by handing out $3,000 in gift cards, with $100 going to the first 10 in line, $50 for the next 15 and $25 to the next 50.

So I set my alarm for 6 a.m., which is really early for me.

Then I inexplicably woke up at 5 a.m., which is extremely early for me.

I got ready and was out the door about 20 to 6 or so.

Drove down the 210, got off at Mountain Avenue and headed south. I got to the restaurant about 6:15.

Saw a small group of people waiting at the front door. I wandered up just as a couple was pulling into the parking lot.

I was number…


…10!

The couple following behind me would have to “settle” for a $50 gift card each.

The first in line? He was there since 1:30 a.m.

At 7 a.m., the restaurant opened and a trickle of people showed up to either pick up breakfast or go inside to eat, mostly ignoring the small crowd gathered outside.

Pretty much the same drill as the Fontana opening. We waited around, chit-chatting in the chilly morning air. Number 9, Juanita, called her husband and a friend and told them to hurry up and get down there before the $50 gift certificates were gone.

About 8 a.m. the marketing folks arrived with the numbers.

Once we signed the list and received our number, we were free from having to stand in line. Most of the small crowd went inside to enjoy some breakfast.

I had the Cordon Bleu crepes, which have since been replaced by the Brie Cheese Lorraine crepes.

They were filling, but not good enough to make me want to order them a second time. Not that I’d be able to, now.

I wandered outside after breakfast, drank some coffee to warm up, ate a couple of pieces of muffin bread, and waited for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The folks from the Upland Chamber of Commerce showed up, the mayor of Upland was there…now, who are we missing?

Oh, yeah…Mimi’s Cafe president Tim Pulido. We were told he was running a little late.

He arrived about 9:15 a.m. and they started the ceremony.

After the ceremony, we received our gift cards. Then the crowd slowly dispersed.

Hey, Juanita, Mimi’s is re-opening their Corona location tomorrow morning! Are you gonna be there?