Once every 5 years: the surprising reason the cafe reopened | Watch

In a small town in France, a cafe that closed more than two decades ago reopened this week. The 88-year-old owner, Michelle, opened it to maintain her alcohol license, which could expire after five years of inactivity. The place is expected to close again at the end of the week.

In a small town in France, a cafe that closed its doors more than two decades ago reopened this week. Behind the counter stands the owner, 88-year-old Michelle, greeting longtime customers with a smile. The cafe, first opened by her parents in 1930, operated for decades and even developed into a small hotel. In 2004, following her husband's death, Michelle decided to close the place. But instead of parting with the business permanently, she found an unusual way to keep it: reopening it for a few days every five years. The reason is not just nostalgia, but also a legal matter. In France, a certain type of alcohol license can expire after five years of inactivity. Michelle, who wants to keep the license for her twin sons in case they wish to run the business in the future, makes sure to open the cafe before the deadline. Since October 5, the small place has come back to life. Around the six tables, regular customers, residents, and friends gathered to drink coffee, exchange memories, and meet the owner. Despite her age, Michelle continues to serve drinks, chat with visitors, and tell jokes. When customers asked her to keep the place open until late, she replied with a smile: "That's not all, I have a life too!" Despite the success and renewed interest, Michelle does not plan to run the cafe permanently. At the end of the week, it is expected to close again, hoping the license will be preserved until the next opening.