(My second favorite part is when the narrator describes how the once-shiny and respectable new tavern is on the downward spiral. You can tell it's now a den of iniquity because the linen is rank, the dishes are dirty, and THE HIRED HELP IS IRISH! MY GOD!)
I am pretty sure that the author was not hoping that my reaction would be, "Man... it sucks that the Mill is closing, because I could really use a Long Island right about now."
And the icons--Katharine Hepburn and Frances Farmer. Trivia note: Farmer is, you might, say, the Face of Digest. In fact, the icon below is made from her mugshot, and I hope that if I ever get arrested, I look this good:

