Manufacturer: Scammell China
Name of User: Greider's Cafe, Decatur, Illinois
Name of pattern: Patent design, 61,099
Distributor: American China & Glassware Co.
Date of example: circa 1925-1954

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Notes: Harvey D. Greider Sr. arrived in Decatur, Illinois, in 1890 and got a job in the Central Hotel. Around 1895, he left the hotel and went to Clinton, Illinois, to operate a restaurant. He sold that establishment in 1897 and returned to Decatur where he opened Greider's Cafe on East Main Street.

By 1904, Greider's Cafe was offering a complete meal for 25¢, with entertainment by a mandolin orchestra. In June of 1904, Greider's was advertising in the Decatur Daily Review for a "First Class Chef," and offering to pay the "best of wages," Another ad in 1905 offered 150 dining room chairs for sale, which gives an indication of how large the cafe was, and that it was being remodeled. A 1910 article mentions seating for 200. By 1921, the price of a Sunday meal had increased to 75¢, and the live orchestra was gone.

In 1925, Greider opened the Greider Cafeteria at 259 N. Main St. In 1928, the 32-year-old café was remodeled at a cost of about $12,000. New booths increased the seating capacity by about 25 seats. The new color scheme was apple green, red and black.

In 1931 Greider's Incorporated was formed. The cafeteria closed in December 1960, but the cafe was still operating. At that point it was located at 161 E. Main St.

Scammell produced china that was crested with "Greiders Cafe" in script lettering with a return swash below. The brown transfer border, patent design 61,099, was created by Charles A. May in 1921. American China & Glassware Co., of Chicago, was the supplier. It may have been ordered in 1928 in connection with the renovation.

Sources:
Decatur Daily Review and Decatur Herald – articles and want ads.

For more info:
Greider's Cafe 2, unknown, likely by Maddock Pottery

Contributor:
Larry Paul: author