Like “legally drunk,” “airline food” and “good grief,” “Sand City nightlife” was long an entertaining oxymoron. Now, when it finally felt like Morgan Christopher and Ol’ Factory Cafe had changed that, they’re gone. Temporarily, Christopher says. Given the current conditions, worse goes without saying.

Saturday was the last stand. Local and loveable wacko/peacenik/serial artist/OFC adoree Ed Leeper talked grand and absurd themes and experimented with a laptop for the first time. Sweet master Sand City sculptor Stephanie Esta toasted new friends and new projects. An earnest crop of young progressives traded banter and sips of Brother Thelonious Ale and Green Flash IPA. And they all bemoaned the imminent reality – no more live bluegrass or bebop, no more smoothies, teas and panini, no more nightlife in Sand City – Christopher among them.

He wouldn’t go on the record on what has his ship half-sunk, but some predictable players made an impact. “The business started slowly, for obvious reasons,” he says. “This is no [downtown Monterey] Morgan’s Coffee location.”

Now that business is strong (and growing), it’s too late, he says, and he’s too far behind. At the moment he’s visiting his kids in Florida, where he’ll take time to contemplate how to “save [his] financial ass.” He adds that some are waiting for him to go out of business, and others are offering potential partnerships.

“I’d need a competent party to work with,” he says. “It’s not a Carmel restaurant.”

The assets and liabilities they’d inherit would be a central point of discussion. Though he admits he’s burnt, the one-time candidate for mayor – who hung our then-editor in effigy because we didn’t endorse him – isn’t accepting a gallows fate yet: “We’ve proven Sand City can support this.” The timeline for a new plan? “The timeline is ASAP.”

Current landlord-neighbor Robbie Robinson of Carmel Stone Imports couldn’t be reached for comment. (He’s out of the country – scouting stone in Italy – until Oct. 10.) But I reached previous landlord and former Pacific Grove Mayor Dan Cort before he jumped a plane to New York. “Morgan always brings a swirl of excitement around him,” he said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a whole lot of people who want answers.”

Here’s one answer – maybe Rob Weakley and David Bernahl will buy it.

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A new landmark may go; an old one returns. Rosie’s Cracker Barrel (659-2629) is back off Carmel Valley Road just past the village starting Monday, Oct. 12. The new iteration of a long-time valley institution will bring both Nola’s Organic Baked Goods and Angelina’s Cakes to bear, as well as breakfast burritos and other perks.

“We’re gonna have naked hostesses,” says Manager Kiki “Wow” Whitman. “Just kidding. But we will offer the lowest prices for fresh baked goods, milk and butter in the village.” Through October, she’ll also have free apple cider. Coffee’s also free with a pastry.

Moving further into the valley… between the winery tour with winemaker Rich Tanguay, the barrel tastings, the luncheon catered by Bahama Billy’s, the live music, and – here it is – toes-in-the-tub grape stomp where the juice reaches the knees, Heller has constructed a comprehensive excuse to get loose in the Cachagua sun Saturday, Oct. 17 from noon-4pm. Besides, Heller just happens to make a delicious batch of wines completely organically. A deal at $20-$25 – no kids under 16 – 659-6220.

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And you thought that the advent of Snuggies for dogs was good news. Better yet: There are beautiful things that can still be bought for $1. No fast food allowed – we’re talking fresh sangria and rich New Orleans treats.

For the daily 5-7pm Hora Feliz at Esteban (375-0176), the spot our readers voted the Best New Restaurant a year ago, glasses of sangria loaded with a medley of fruit are just $1. Three of us shared five drinks, including a stellar mojito ($4 during happy hour; draft beers are $2, Chateau Julien wines $3), plus some tapas like a Serrano ham and manchego cheese torta ($9), golden beets ($5) and rock shrimp ($3) and the check was less than $25. Get to the patio before daylight savings gets to us.

Meanwhile, Sean Allen is celebrating a decade of operation at his breakfast-lunch, ocean-view gem Trailside Cafe (649-8600) with a buffet-and-live-music celebration party Friday, Oct. 23 (stop by the restaurant to be added to the guest list). All October, though, he’s adding menu items and offering three trademark, New Orleans-style beignets for only $1. Delicious deal.

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People are goofy for In N Out. News in the Herald that the chain is coming to Seaside sparked record comments. And that’s despite the fact most of those folks haven’t discovered animal-style fries… Karen Anne Murray has moved her Eddison & Melrose Food Boutique, Teas and Catering (393-9479) to Monterey. The ribbon-cutting/move-in party’s Thursday, Oct. 15, with trademark snacks and refreshments… The Alternative Cafe (583-0913) on Fremont is Seaside is not only brewing the freshest urban art our area can stare at, they are brewing coffee like crazy. And they’ve got an ad in these pages somewhere for $2 off a coffee drink. Given the fact that they brew the finest Acme-roasted wonderbeans available in this vicinity, that’s yet another artful bargain… Patrick Willis for president.