Manufacturer: Scammell China, Lamberton China
User: LeKas, Peoria, Illinois
Date of examples: circa 1925-1940
Notes: LeKas was founded in 1907 in Peoria, Illinois, at 510 Main Street. In 1917, LeKas moved to 422 Main Street. At that time, it was operated as "Illinois Sugar Bowl." The dining room section had hand-painted murals above the mahogany woodwork. A 19-foot, marble-topped soda fountain was in the front of the shop.
By 1920, Fotis S. Lekas was the vice president and manager. He died in a car crash in January 1933. On December 31, 1940, the Bishop Cafeteria Co. acquired the LeKas Sugar Bowl, and all its contents went on sale on January 7, 1941.
Christ S. LeKas started a new LeKas restaurant on Knoxville Avenue in 1940. It closed in 1944 when he retired.
Scammell produced Lamberton China for LeKas that has a decal border with flowers, leaves and lattice against a blue background. This border flanks an oval with "LeKas" in outlined letters.
For more info:
LeKas 2, by Scammell's Trenton China
Illinois Sugar Bowl, by Scammell China
Sources:
Peoria Historical Society – company history
The Pantagraph – Jan. 7, 1941, LeKas restaurant equipment sale by Bishop Cafeteria
Contributor:
Larry Paul: author
