The Gause Cafe/Restaurant

[David Sechrest]

The Gause was a dining mainstay in Columbus for many years prior to the opening of the Commons Mall. I've copied and pasted some posts from the Trivia Thread that pertain to the Gause.

[David Sechrest]

nancs said:

Another thing of note, that still is puzzling me------these phone directories list Gause Cafe at 426 3rd, as I think Richard perhaps noted here recently. And that just really bothers me, as I am sure there was a restaurant on Washington Street just to the south of O'Bryan's Jewelry Store, before the alley and the dime store. Seems to me that it had a 'shiny black oynx' type front. I honestly thought it was Gause's Cafe. Charlie where are you??? Hey, wasn't that a movie shown at the Crump way back when??? ;D Ah, you gotta love the internet at your fingertips, it was a 1952 movie, Where's Charley? with Ray Bolger. The evening I went to that movie with a car load of kids, the comment was, in response to 'Where's Charley?' the consensus was that he, being my dad, was asleep on the couch at home. Now that is honest to goodness trivia. ;D

Nanc

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[David Sechrest]

rer said:

Nanc.......

The Gause Cafe was across the street from the Crump Theater at 426 3rd Street. The Crump Theater address is 425 3rd Street. I remember walking from the old Central High School by Pearl Street to the Gause Cafe at that address in 1956 to eat lunch periodically. They had the best hamburgers going I thought, but couldn't afford to go there very often. I remember too that Bobby Hart worked there many years later until they closed it. Bobby is the son of Dr. Robert Bruce Hart (deceased). My brother played basketball for Bill Stearman from 1952 thru 1956 and he just told me that Stearman would take the Columbus High School basketball team to eat at the Gause after they would win the Sectional and Regional tourneys. When the 25th Street Gym was built, Columbus was the host of Sectionals and Regionals. I suspect that Columbus North still hosts both, with that size of the gym. Also, Bill Stearman would take them to the Bob-O-Link after some wins.

Bob

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[David Sechrest]

nancs said:

Okay, Bob, et al, I will have to concede as to the location of the Gause Cafe. BUT, was there another restaurant in the location that I mentioned on Washington Street? I can find none listed in that 400 block in the phone directories that I have. Might there have been one in the 40s? I just so recall going, almost next door to the jewelry store, to have a coke with my dad on a coffee break. And I know it wasn't the Greeks, too far away. It had a fairly long counter with stools on the north wall. Seems like there were mirrors on that wall as well.

I may not sleep tonight!!!!! ;D

Nanc

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[David Sechrest]

rer said:

Sounds like Gause that you described. When you walked into the Gause on 3rd Street the long counter with stools was on the left. Then the remainder of the room seemed to be tables with cloths and chairs. I think behind the long counter was a mirror, but not sure on this part. I don't recall in my days other Cafe's in the 50s on main Washington. Of course on side streets from Washington were various lunch places and bars. Lucas Brothers was one of my favorite side places for hamburgers and chili. The chili was outstanding as I recall. Mable's near the Star Market (next door to it) was open during the 50 and 60s I think. Flossie Stotts was the owner (of Mable's) and she lived across the street from my family for many years. Her son was Bill Stotts that graduated from Columbus High School in 1956 and is deceased.

Bob

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[David Sechrest]

nancs said:

Richard to my rescue!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D And to think that I almost thought the 'dementia demons' were overtaking my brain. Okay, guys and gals, take a look at this link and the photo within.

www.historiccolumbusindiana.org/pics/1941washst.jpg

And now my family will enjoy my company this evening. Thanks, Richard, you are awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Gause Cafe is EXACTLY where I remembered!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love to all of you guys,
Nanc

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Here's the pic Richard posted a link to:

[David Sechrest]

rer said:

Good memory and Richard too, but I hate to bust your bubbles. They moved in the late 40s or early 50s across from the Crump Theater as I said. I confirmed this with 4 people email. Anyway, it was a great place.

Bob

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[David Sechrest]

nancs said:

Hi to all, and I don't actually remember when Gause Cafe must have moved. Obviously, probably within the time frame you mentioned, Bob. Frankly, I was 'thinking' I was losing it, having the restaurant placed on Washington St. at 'some point in time' in my head. Am so glad that we all got it figured out. Did have another person that also recalled the Washington Street location. Guess the two of us have to admit to being some of the 'more elder' members on the board. ;D

Of course, something like unraveling this puzzle is what makes these message boards, the VERY BEST. Absolutely love the input from everyone. Thanks.

Nanc

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[richard]

Posted for RER.

If you look closely at the Restaurant sign on the left side of this picture of the Belvedere Hotel on 3rd Street, it says, Gause across the top of the Restaurant sign. This is the Gause that I ate at of course.

The corner was an ice-cream store that I would also visit as a younger boy.

* During the mid 1950's, the Ice Cream store was operated by Roy Newby. I believe this is the store where I first saw a triple cone. Well, I called it a triple cone. They served an odd shaped cone that held two dips side by side and they then put one dip on top and between the first two . . .

*Richard’s note