Stunned when she discovered there was no Rick’s Café in Casablanca, Morocco–yes, the one of movie fame; and disbelieving it existed only as a back lot set built by Warner Bros just for the movie, Kathy Kriger muttered to herself, “Maybe there should be a Rick’s and maybe I’m the person to do it.”
A 1964 Lake Oswego High School graduate, Kriger accepted a job as a diplomat with the US Embassy in Casablanca, Morocco. When she learned from locals that Rick’s wasn’t a reality, she quit her job in 1998 and took on the challenge of creating an upscale piano bar, jazz club and restaurant very similar to the movie version. Rick’s Café opened in 2004.
She states in her book“the 9/11 attacks on the United States inspired me to purchase a decrepit, cracked and crumbling-down, 1930s courtyard riad (mansion) in the Ancienne Medina area of Casablanca–not one of the city’s best neighborhoods. I had a vision of creating this space where I could show Americans and other foreigners it was ok to do business in a Muslim country and they would feel comfortable.
But I faced many hurdles: money, being female and being single were the biggest ones. Sixteen banks turned me down. I had an idea for raising the money myself: Create a flyer asking people to donate to my project. I posted the flyers everywhere. Much to my surprise, several people expressed interest, which led me to form a funding group I named ‘The Usual Suspects’ after a line in the movie.”
‘The Usual Suspects’ bought the dilapidated building and Kriger immediately began planning the remodel, which took 2 years. She opened the doors to a lavishly restored mansion decorated with marble floors, mosaics, columned white arches framing the main dining room under a three-story cupola. Brass chandeliers hung everywhere and beaded table lamps graced table tops. Palms swayed in the corners and a baby grand piano stood tucked under an archway. The bar replicates the same shape as the one in the film only more elegant, with leather armrests and a marble top. Opposite a roulette table on the third floor, the movie plays on a loop.
Leah Caplan, a chef from Seattle who consulted with Kriger on her eclectic menu stated in an WRAL news interview “ Kathy faced so many setbacks–vindictive paper pushers, no-show architects, mad chefs–that any normal mortal would have given up. But Kathy faced life with laughter, that wicked sense of humor in her back pocket. However, when things needed to get done, she called upon her rebel side, the one with the disruptive voice that didn’t mince words.”
Kriger wanted guests to feel that when they left Casablanca they were entering Casablanca.
She loved to quote lines and scenes from the movie. When asked if she ever planned to retire, she replied with Humphrey Bogart’s line as Rick Blaine: “I’m going to die in Casablanca. It’s a good spot for it.” And she did. Kriger passed away unexpectedly in July 2018 in Casablanca, where she is buried.
Play it again, Sam, for Kathy.
Author’s note: I knew Kathy Kriger in high school. We had French classes together. She and I were always cracking jokes-not in French–and being told to ferme la bouche (literal translation -close the mouth.) I knew Kathy would make a name for herself. She is missed by all who knew her.
Credits
Lake Oswego Review obituary 9/2018
“Rick’s Café – Bringing the Film Legend to Life in Casablanca” by Kathleen A. Kriger 2012
For more stories about Lake Oswego’s history, copies of my book History Soup -Stories of Oswego’s can be purchased on Amazon https://tinyurl.com/2kw55pz3 and at Lake Oswego Ace Hardware. Connect with Nancy: nancydunis.com or histsoup.press@gmail.com.
We’re thrilled to welcome Nancy as a contributor to the Palisades Neighborhood Association’s monthly newsletter, where she’ll be serving up fascinating historical stories about Lake Oswego. Get ready to dive into the rich, colorful past of our community—History Soup style! Find out more about Nancy on her website, or purchase her books available on Amazon.
Nancy Dunis is a passionate public historian, dynamic storyteller, and published author with a flair for bringing the past to life. As the founder of History Soup Press, she’s the creative force behind the History Soup book series and The HistoriConnection blog. For over 20 years, Nancy has been sharing captivating historical nonfiction through newspaper columns, blogs, magazines, social media, newsletters, and three compelling books.
With a special focus on barrier-breaking women, infamous men, and unforgettable events, she uses a wide range of audience engagement techniques to make history accessible, exciting, and relevant.
