Celebrating Decades Of Customer Service

There are those places in a community that develop a circular process. They become familiar to their clientele, and the clientele in turn becomes like family, which then attracts more customers.

In some of these locations, the neon sign indicates if the kitchen is open, not what it serves. The community already knows what to expect from the menu.

Roxie Worster knows the front door to the grills in the back, where constant customers sit and what most of them eat. Over time, it has become her passion; not just a job, but an occupation. After years of her family, almost without exception, serving from the same corner, she can see a customer walk through the door and know what he or she wants sometimes better than they do, and when the routine is disrupted, the customer often sometimes comments "that's not the way Roxie makes it."

The corner cafe has been a landmark since the 1960s and 70s, Worster says. It is a location known for its family atmosphere, homemade meatloaf lunches, chicken fried steak and plates that can be modified to a customer's taste. And don't forget the desserts with a list that can include caramel-glazed bread pudding and strawberry-rhubarb pie alamode.

Grandma Jo's, at the corner of 12th Avenue and Illinois Street, is named in memory of her mother, Joanne. It was first known as "The Chateau." It was sold in the early 1970s and renamed to the Country Kettle. The family also had a cafe adjacent to Finney's Hardware reminiscent of the historic ice cream parlor with counter seating. The restaurant, D & J Cafe, lasted about three years.

"We bought it back in 1980," she said.

They then had it for 13 years, until 1993. Roxie admits that when it was sold in 1993, she was surprised and disappointed. She envisioned stepping into the family business. That changed when an offer was made in the dining room.

Her mother died in 2002, and in 2005 she and her husband had the opportunity to purchase the landmark and continue the family business.

"I'm home now," she says. "I'm back where I started."

She says even with her parents gone, the cafe feels like she is close to family.

"It makes me feel proud," she said. "I've made so many friends here. They're like family."

With her time in the family restaurant and years working in other local food service businesses, she has been serving customers for 37 years.

The Worsters are recognizing the Grandma Jo's customers with a special incentive in the next few weeks. Each customer who purchases a breakfast or lunch entree will receive a ticket to enter a drawing for a basket of select cuts of registered Hereford beef. The basket is valued at $80.

The drawing will continue through Feb. 11, with the winner announced on Feb. 13. Meat baskets are also available for purchase.

Grandma Jo's is open Tuesday through Saturday for breakfast and lunch.