Published: February 16, 2008 09:11 pm         

Historical Treasure: The Goodie Shop had many ‘regulars’

TERRE HAUTE — Can you guess where this waitress uniform was worn in the 1950s? It is pink with white piping, flared skirt and crisply starched apron. It was worn in a very popular restaurant, a cafeteria, and, as most readers who are familiar with Terre Haute’s eateries of the past would remember, located on the north side of Ohio between Sixth and Seventh streets. With these helpful clues, I’m sure you have guessed — The Goodie Shop Cafeteria. The uniform was recently given to the Historical Museum by David Felstein.

George and Edna Martin had reason to be proud of their establishment at 666 Ohio Street, as theirs was a story of success in the restaurant business. It began in 1922 when George Martin met Edna Gutherie while both worked at the Bob Hicks Bakery at 114 N. Seventh St. They fell in love, married, and, with Fred Paitson, opened a delicatessen near the campus of Indiana State Teachers College. As the business grew, the Martins bought out their partner and, in 1929, moved to 110 N. Seventh St. Still needing more space for a cafeteria-style restaurant, their next move was to 24 S. Sixth St. They could now seat 98 people.

While looking to expand and learning more about efficient techniques and cost control, the Martins’ dream came true as, in 1950, they opened the Goodie Shop Cafeteria on Ohio Street. During the 1950s and 1960s, the restaurant was open six days a week, Monday through Saturday. It was open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and again for dinner from 4:30 to 8 p.m. it served an average daily crowd of 1,600 to 2,000 people.

In the early 1960s, extensive remodeling took place. The three dining areas were done in shades of turquoise, yellow, sage green and sand tones. Throughout the restaurant, one could see ceremonial masks and brightly colored totem poles. Separating the dining rooms were dividers of molded Plexiglas containing fishnet and pictures of colorful fish. Standing in the waiting line, one was separated from diners by planting boxes. The kitchen contained the very latest in food preparation equipment.

George Martin, and later, son-in-law Kenneth Hayes, were familiar figures behind the cafeteria line, as they carved prime rib of beef. The Goodie Shop had many “regulars.” A third generation of diners enjoyed the restaurant. Patrons had their favorite entrée. Prime rib with oven-browned potatoes never failed to please the palate. For others, it might be fried haddock fillet, salmon patties with creamed peas, or chop suey. The homemade pies, cakes and hot breads were memorable. Whatever the choice, the Goodie Shop Cafeteria could be counted on to offer tasty food in pleasant and pristine surroundings.

George Martin died in 1986 and his wife in 1987. The Goodie Shop was renamed the Martin House. It closed in 1998.