Plummer's Grocery: The building now known as Pappy's Place, has been owned by four generations of the same family. It was built in 1903 and served the neighborhood as Frank Plummer's Grocery, and then briefly as a shoe repair business until the early 1920's.
George Bill's Cafe: In 1926 George and Mary Bills opened a cafe in the building to serve the needs of the many who brought relatives to the original St. John's Hospital, located just up the street. George purchased the first beer-by-the-drink license in Springfield after prohibition ended in 1933 and remodeled the front of the building at that time.
Pappy's Place: The business became known as Pappy's Place in 1971 when Paul and Dorothy Ankrom began operations of the restaurant. They owned and operated Pappy's Place from 1971 to 1978. Paul was employed at O'Reilly's and his love of autos shows on the walls of Pappy's today. Many of us never had the opportunity to meet Paul, but the stories and faces of his friends and customers still remain. ... and he'll always be remembered.
Happy Hacker Day! Jim Hacker (the local hero here at Pappy's) Doctor's predicted him a goner in the late 70s. Jim proved them wrong. Mr. Hacker came to Pappy's 6 days a week for over 13 years. Jim passed on in the summer of '93. We celebrate Jim every day and every year Hacker Day is December 23rd.
Today: Today, 943 North Main endures as the oldest continuously operating restaurant location in Springfield and is one of the last old-fashioned neighborhood places left. The spirit and tradition of good food, good folk and good beverages lives on, always found at Pappy's Place.
Pappy's proudly recycles the aluminum and cardboard around here ... do your part ... there's only one environment.
Can anyone recommend their favorite (if you have one) 50's style diner that is still open today? Particularly mention those that have both good food and the right 50's 'decor'. My nomination: Connie's Diner in Waterloo, NY
Christopher C. replied:
#3) This place has been here, like, forever! https://www.facebook.com/ILikePappysPlace