MS-233

MS-233

 

THE SPOT RESTAURANT COLLECTION

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The Spot Restaurant Collection was accessioned into the Piqua Public Library Archives and Special Collections on August 11, 2014 as a donation from Mrs. Carol Hepler, the wife of the owner of The Spot Restaurant in Piqua, Mr. John “Jack” Hepler.  The collection is housed in a single Hollinger box containing 53 files.  Ownership of the materials his been transferred to the Piqua Public Library and there are no known restrictions on the use of the materials.

 

SCOPE AND CONTENT

 

The Spot Restaurant Collection is divided into the following six series:

 

SERIES I:  Photographs

 

     Sub-Series I A:  The Old Spot Restaurant – c. 1922-1946 – Box 1, Files 1-8

     Sub-Series I B:  The New Spot Restaurant – 1957-1994 – Box 1, Files 9-25

     Sub-Series I C:  Christmas at The Spot – Box 1, Files 26-28

     Sub-Series I D:  The Spot in Sidney, Ohio – Box 1, Files 29-32

 

SERIES II:  The Spot Restaurant, Inc. – Corporate Documents – Box 1, Files 33-36

 

SERIES III:  Spot Restaurant Menus – Box 1, Files 37-42

 

SERIES IV:  Newspaper Clippings – Box 1, Files 43-48

 

SERIES V:  Magazine Articles from Trade Journals – Box 1, Files 49-50

 

SERIES VI:  Miscellaneous – Box 1, Files 51-53

 

CONTAINER LIST

 

SERIES I:  Photographs

 

          Sub-Series I A:  The Old Spot Restaurant – c. 1922-1946

 

BOX 1

 

File

          1        Cook’s Spot, 202 West Water and 200 North Wayne (northwest corner of Water and Wayne Streets).  Exterior shot with seven employees (men) standing in line next to the door.  One original 8 x 10 print and three copies, photos dated c. 1930.

          2        Cook’s Spot, 202 West Water and 200 North Wayne – exterior shot offour employees (men) and probably an owner stand near the Water Street entrance to the restaurant.  These photos are 2 ½” x 4” copies on full sheets of photo copy paper.  The Charlene Apartments are in the background so the photo is after 1929 – c. 1930’s.

          3        Cook’s Spot, 202 West Water and 200 North Wayne –photograph of the interior at the counter.  The man seated at the counter is identified as Mr. Alba Sims a Railroad Express Agency employee.  The five men behind the counter are not identified.  Photo is c. 1920’s.  Three copies.

          4        Cook’s Spot, 202 West Water and 200 North Wayne –photograph of the interior at the counter.  Man standing at the counter is possibly Mr. Alba Sims.  The three men behind the counter are not identified.  The photo is c. 1925 and is 5 x 7 pasted on a backing board.

          5        Cook’s Spot, 202 West Water and 200 North Wayne –photograph of the interior at the counter.  One stool is at the counter.  The six men behind the counter are not identified.  The two photographs in this folder are copies of an original 5 x 7 photograph which is not part of the collection.  The photos are c. 1930.

          6        Cook’s Spot, 202 West Water and 200 North Wayne –photograph of the interior at the counter.  The counter has a side and two ends, three men are seated at the far end and eight stools are visible around the end and side plus at least three more stools are at the far end.  The three men seated at the counter are not identified.  The three men behind the counter are (left to right) Nicholas Romaker, G. G. (or C. G.) Owen and Joseph Cook.  The photos are dated 1930 but are most likely closer to the mid-1930’s and are copies, not originals.   [2 copies]

          7        Copies of snap-shot photographs of Cook’s Spot employees and others taken beside or behind the restaurant at 202 W. Water Street.  The photographs are c. 1933.

[1] Eight Cooks Spot employees beside the restaurant on Water St.

[2] Restaurant employee and a man holding a rod with three stringers of fish.

[3] Man standing behind the restaurant with a stringer of fish.

[4] Two restaurant employees and a man holding a rod which appears to have stringers of fish.

[5] Employee and two men.

[6] Five men – restaurant employees – sitting in or standing behind an open top automobile – possibly a Model T.

[7] Same five men – restaurant employees – sitting in or on an open top automobile – possibly a Model T.

[8] Two restaurant employees standing on the northwest corner of Wayne and Water Streets.

[9] A policeman and a man standing on the northwest corner of Wayne and Water Streets.

[10] Restaurant employee leaning on an automobile behind the restaurant.

          8        8 x 10 copies of two Piqua post cards:

[1] North Main Street, March 25, 1913 looking north from the Public Square during the Great Miami River Flood – visible at the right is Frank Yount’s Spot Lunch Stand.

[2] Main Street at Night, From Public Square, Piqua, Ohio – looking north up Main Street from the Public Square – visible at the right is Frank Yount’s Spot Lunch Stand.

 

          Sub-Series I B:  The New Spot Restaurant – 1957-1994

 

File

          9        Copy of an 8 x 10 photograph of a vacant lot on the southeast corner of Water and College Streets.  The photo is dated 2/1956 and is the site of the future Spot Restaurant in Piqua.

          10      5 x 7 photograph of The Spot sign and the beams to support the covered car stalls.  Construction period late 1956 to early 1957.

          11      Copy of an 8 x 10 photograph of The Spot exterior.  It is labeled “Opening Day 2-27-57”.  The photo was taken prior to opening and was taken from the west side of College Street south of Water Street.

          12      5 x 7 exterior photographs of The Spot taken in the summer of 1957 (2)

          13      Seven 8 x 10 photographs of the interior of The Spot Restaurant taken in the fall or winter c. 1958.

[1] The Dining Room and Serving Line.

[2] Front Line Service and cash register.

[3] Curb Service food preparation area.

[4] The Dish Room

[5] The dish washer area

[6] The deep fryers

[7] The basement production room

          14      8 x 10 photograph of The Spot taken in the winter of 1958.

          15      8 x 10 photographs – three exteriors (one is at night) of The Spot taken during 1959 and 1960.

          16      Color 8 x 10 photographs of the exterior c. 1962 (2)

          17      1964 photographs of The Spot, interior and exterior.  There are four 4 ½” x 5” black/white photographs printed on 5 x 7 paper and there is one 8 x 10 color photograph:

[1] John “Jack” Hepler and two other men not identified standing under a front car cover – black/white

[2] The service line inside – black/white

[3] Jack Hepler checking the weight of hamburger patties – black/white

[4] Juanita Daugherty grilling hamburgers – black/white

[5] Exterior looking east from the west side of College Street – 8 x 10 color

          18      3 ¾” x 2 ¾” polaroid color photographs of the Spot exterior and the newly paved south parking lot.  The photos were taken c. 1967 prior to the new addition. (2)

          19      8 x 10 black/white photograph taken in front of The Spot by Clarence N. Brush.  The photo seems to show the ground breaking for the new addition to the front of the Spot.  The photo is c. 1968.  The four men in the photo are (left to right):  Robert Hance (City Manager), Robert Hepler, John Hepler and architect Glenn McConnel, Jr.

          20      8 x 10 sepia photograph of the new addition to The Spot, the photograph was taken by Jerry Shoemaker Photographer and has been dated summer 1969.  (original and a copy)

          21      Snap shots of the new addition to the front of The Spot taken in May andJuly 1969.  There is one 3 ½” x 3 ½” photo taken in May 1969 and four photos which are dated July 15, 1969.

          22      4 ½” x 5 ¼” black/white photograph of Robert Hepler, John Hepler and an unidentified man, probably an employee, the photo is dated June 29, 1965.

          23      Two 5 x 7 black/white photographs of John R. Hepler and J.R. Harris, Piqua Daily Call Advertising Manager with a certificate presented to The Spot Restaurant in 1963 for unique Christmas advertising.

          24      Two 8 x 10 black/white United Fund photographs:

[1] John Hepler looks on as an unidentified man and lady hold a 1961 Award plaque from the United Fund.  The photo is dated January 31, 1961.

[2] John Hepler and two ladies (not identified) are presented with a plaque for Ten Years Outstanding Service.  The plaque is inscribed to The Employees of The Spot Restaurant.  The plaque is being presented by Kenneth Moore of the United Fund.  The photo is probably c. 1968.

          25      8 x 10 color photograph of “The Spot Fund Raising Dart Game” board.

 

          Sub-Series I C:  Christmas at The Spot

 

File

          26      The Spot Restaurants 1960 Christmas Party held at the Chaney-Graef V.F.W. Post in Piqua.  There are six 8 x 10 black/white photographs of the party.  The photographs were taken by Clarence N. Brush and were dated December 12, 1960.

          27      Three 8 x 10 black/white photographs of the front of The Spot decorated for Christmas.

[1 & 2] These photos show the front of The Spot decorated with wreaths, Christmas trees, a mural of a rural snow scene and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and a cut-out of three Christmas Carolers.   One of the photos has instructions for painting the curbs and the posts.  The photos are labeled “1st Christmas” and so are c. 1958.

[3] This photo shows The Spot decorated for Christmas at night with strings of lights and wreaths and Christmas trees.  This photo is labeled “2nd Christmas, 1960” and is date stamped December 12, 1960 by the photographer, Clarence Brush.

          28      Two 3” x 4 ¼” color snap shots of The Spot Santa Claus decoration as he was being put together for the first time – 1970.

 

          Sub-Series I D:  The Spot in Sidney, Ohio

 

File

          29      Three 5 x 7 black/white photographs of the interior of The Spot Restaurant in Sidney, the photographs are pasted onto 6 ¼” x 8” mounting board:

[1] Photograph of the counter and the front line.

[2] Photograph of the counter with the permanently mounted stools.

[3] Photograph of the dining room with tables, chairs and booths.

          30      Two 8 x 10 black/white photographs of the interior of The Spot Restaurant in Sidney:

[1] Photo of the line and a lady employee making a hamburger sandwich.

[2] Photo of customers waiting in line and Robert Hepler taking their orders.  The photo also shows some of the booths in the dining room.

          31      Two black/white photographs of the exterior of The Spot in Sidney, Ohio:

[1] 3 ½” x 5 ¾” photo of the front corner entrance to the restaurant.  The sign over the door reads “Cook’s Spot” and there is a man and a lady employee standing next to the door.  This photo may date back to the late 1940’s to a period before Robert Hepler bought The Spot franchise in Sidney.

[2] 8 x 10 photo looking south at the front and side of The Spot.  There is a large group of people, teens and young adults, standing on the sidewalk by the entrance and a full dining room and a customer line can be seen through the windows.  On the back of the photo is written, “After a football game at The Spot.”  The photo dates c. 1960.

          32      Two black/white 8 x 10 photographs of Santa Claus entertaining a group of ten small children in a corner booth in the dining room of The Spot in Sidney.

 

SERIES II:  The Spot Restaurant, Inc. – Corporate Documents

 

File

          33      A photo static copy of the Articles of Incorporation of The Spot Restaurant, Inc. with an attached certificate from Secretary of State of Ohio Ted W. Brown stating that the Articles of Incorporation were filed in his office on 30 April, 1956.  These articles of incorporation are for the Piqua Spot restaurant only.  250 shares of stock were authorized for sale with a par value of $200 per share.

          34      Record of Proceedings of the Incorporators, Shareholders and Directors of The Spot Restaurant, Inc. Piqua, Ohio including:  Articles of Incorporation, Order for and Waiver of Notice of the Receipt of Subscriptions and Declaration of Value of the Shares, Share Subscription (Robert M. Hepler 67 shares common, Margaret Hepler 1 share common, John R. Hepler 1 share common, Barbara Hepler 1 share common), Notice of Shareholders’ Meeting and Minutes of the First Shareholders’ Meeting.  The dates on these documents range from April 30, 1956 to December 31, 1956.

          35      Appointment of William E. Heitzman, of The Piqua National Bank as the Agent of The Spot Restaurant, Inc.

          36      A standard form blank stock certificate.

 

SERIES III:  Spot Restaurant Menus

 

File

          37      Spot Restaurant price list (dated August 18, 1961) and taken out menu.  These menus were for both Piqua and Sidney and the price of a hamburger on both was 25 cents.  The price of a breakfast on the price list is 48 cents.

          38      Spot Restaurant Piqua and Sidney price list – hamburger is still 25 cents but the breakfast is 70 cents.  c. 1962

          39      Spot Restaurant Piqua and Sidney price list and a large menu printed on newsprint (possibly a printers proof copy) – hamburger is 30 cents and the Big Buy is 39 cents.  c. 1963

          40      The Spot, Piqua – Curb Menu Price List – October 17, 1988 – the price of a hamburger is now $1.20 and a Big Buy is $1.55.

          41      Customer order form with a hamburger priced at 25 cents and a Big Buy at 39 cents.  c. 1961

          42      The Spot of Piqua Presents Our Pie-of-the Month Club – a booklet containing coupons for one pie each month for the year 1985.  A different pie was featured each month.

 

SERIES IV:  Newspaper Clippings

 

File

          43      Three newspaper clippings from The Piqua Daily Call and one from theMiami Valley Wednesday News:

[1] Piqua Daily Call October 2, 1920 about the sale of the Spot Lunch Stand by Frank Yount to Mrs. Charles Florka.  The Spot Lunch Stand was located on the north side of the Public Square next to 311 N. Main Street.

[2] Piqua Daily Call January 29, 1947 article by Leonard Hill about the log cabin found in the ruins of the old Cook’s Spot Restaurant on the northwest corner of Wayne and Water Streets.

[3] Piqua Daily Call April 1, 1950 article by Leonard Hill about the log cabin found in the ruins of the old Cook’s Spot Restaurant on the northwest corner of Wayne and Water Streets.  The article refutes and earlier notion that the log cabin was Piqua’s first school.

[4] Miami Valley Wednesday News November 29, 1978 article by Ralph May about early West Water Street businesses and residents.

          44      Two newspaper clippings from The Piqua Daily Call from 1957 and 1960 concerning the early days of The Spot Restaurant.

          45      Six newspaper clippings concerning the announcement of the expansion of The Spot, the planning and the early construction.  There are four articles from The Piqua Daily Call, one from The Sidney Daily News and one from The Dayton Journal Herald.  The articles are dated 1967 and 1968.

          46      Nine newspaper clippings concerning the announcement of the closing of The Spot and the actual closing on December 31, 1994.  Eight of the articles are from The Piqua Daily Call and one is from The Sidney Daily News.  The articles are dated 1994 and 1995.

          47      Two newspaper clippings from The Piqua Daily Call about The Spot building being converted into the Medicine Shoppe by Ernie Smith – from 1995 and 1996.  A third clipping is from the Daily Call in 1999 about the Medicine Shoppe moving to the southeast corner of College and High Streets and the demolition of The Spot building to make way for the construction of a CVS Pharmacy.  This clipping is dated May 27, 1999.

          48      Two Piqua Daily Call newspaper clippings about The Spot Santa Claus decoration displayed at the Miami Valley Centre Mall (1995) and at the home of Bill Didier on Ford Drive in Piqua (1999).

 

SERIES V:  Magazine Articles from Trade Journals

 

File

          49      Six articles written by John R. Hepler for Drive-In Restaurant magazine:

[1] Award Winning Idea for Birthday Clubs (February 1964)

[2] Good Ideas From The Spot (September 1964)

[3] Here’s Our Way to Grill Buns (October 1964)

[4] Pies Will Increase Your Check Average (January 1965)

[5] Things Happened When I Limited My Menu:  Part I (May 1967)

[6] Things Happened When I Limited My Menu:  Part II (June 1967)

          50      Four articles by John R. Hepler in various trade magazines:

[1] Cleaning Eased by Built-in Sanitation (American Restaurant Magazine, October 1957)

[2] Do You Realize What Supplies Cost? (Restaurant Reporter, December 6, 1957)

[3] Make a Good Hamburger (Drive-In Management, October 1964)

[4] CCTV Spells Super-Vision (Quickservice, February 1972)

 

SERIES VI:  Miscellaneous

 

File

          51      Two letters forwarded to The Spot from The Piqua Daily Call concerning a Call article on the old Cook’s Spot on the corner of Wayne and Water Streets.  1973

          52      Spot Birthday Club Merry Christmas advertising c. 1963

          53      The Spot Restaurant, Inc. stationery and envelope