Robert "The Traveller" Hill is getting some love out in western Idaho eastern Washington.

I just got back from a visit to Sam’s Café. The restaurant, which serves an eclectic crowd that includes employees of Tideflats businesses, Port of Tacoma workers and downtown residents, takes advantage of its convenient location.

The restaurant, at 602 E. 11th St., is one of the first buildings after crossing the Thea Foss Waterway on the Murray Morgan Bridge.

Since the closure of the bridge in October, though, business is down. The owner, Soon Jin Kim, said the breakfast rush has slowed by about half.

“A lot of people just don’t drive around,” she said.

Lunchtime is still doing OK, she said. But breakfast, which accounts for a third of her business, could have been worse if it weren’t for some dedicated patrons.

“I’ve been open seven years, so many people still drive around to come eat here. They know us by now.”

Footsteps echoed off the walls of ReHarvest Center’s cavernous warehouse on Tacoma’s Tideflats. Stacks of doors, cabinets, windows and other furniture dwarfed the two employees working Thursday morning and added to the feeling of isolation.

ReHarvest isn’t a business used to the hustle-bustle of many retail stores, but it’s hurting from the closure of the Murray Morgan Bridge in October.

“It might be a little early to tell if there’s a definite drop in sales, but I believe there is,” sales manager Barbara Garcia said. “Sales are dropping in a lot of places (around here).”

Garcia said she’s talked to customers who are unhappy with the closure. The building sits at 1113 Saint Paul Ave. – a few hundred feet from the closed bridge – but many customers are forced to take Highway 509 across the Thea Foss Waterway, turn north on Portland Avenue and head back west on East 11th Street.

It adds miles and headaches and likely drives away new customers, Garcia said.

“People have to go out of their way to get here, and they have to choose an alternate route,” she said. “Most people just choose not to do that. They just say, ‘Aww, the heck with it.’ ”

Let’s be honest: Our northern neighbors like to look at Tacoma as a tad crime-ridden. And despite the strides made in recent years, we’re having a tough time shrugging off that image.

But it could be worse. Much worse.

I came across a story yesterday in my hometown paper, the Times-Picayune, that reports about the mayor and police superintendent showing off new SWAT gear. Not such a big deal there. But then check out the photo with it. (I had to shrink it down to fit on the page, so the text is a bit skewed.) That’s Mayor Ray Nagin on the right giggling while the barrel of an M-4 is pointed at the NOPD’s top dog.

The T-P posted a clarification on its Web site yesterday saying that the mayor was lowering the rifle, and that its barrel was pointed toward the police superintendent for just an instant.

The sad part? No one I knew actually thought it was a big deal. Everyone thought it was funny. (And it kinda is.) But next time you think Tacoma has a bad reputation, just try envisioning people chuckling at a photo of Bill Baarsma pointing an assault rifle at Don Ramsdell from point-blank range. There’d be an uproar.

If you’re a resident of Tacoma, there’s another free day at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium coming your way.

Bring a photo ID or other proof of admission next Wednesday, and you’ll get in for free.

Here’s the reason why, according to a release from the zoo:

The free day is offered as a thank-you to Tacoma voters, who in 1999 approved a $35 million bond issue to pay for Zoo improvements. There have been lots of new additions since then including the Kids’ Zone children’s area, the five-acre Asian Forest Sanctuary, Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater, and a new front entrance, gift shop, and café.

I have a few things cooking today, but first I'll be heading to Sam’s Café to see if the predicted financial hit following the closure of the Murray Morgan Bridge really happened. I'll let you know.