McGarvey’s Restaurant Memories

The Ritter Public Library currently has a nice little exhibit of ephemera from Vermilion's beloved McGarvey’s Restaurant, including napkins (one is shown above), aT-shirt, coasters, and plastic stirrers. Also included in the display are a few vintage photos.

Many Northeast Ohio families have fond memories of dining at McGarvey’s, including mine (which I wrote about here.)

Anyway, it’s a good time to post some more McGarvey’s material from through the years.

As many people know, the restaurant started out in the late 1920s as Helfrich’s, run by Charlie Helfrich. Charlie McGarvey bought the business from his widow.

Here’s an ad that ran in the Sandusky Register on May 14, 1938. As you can see, McGarvey kept the old name for a while.

By 1939, the restaurant had the name that from that point on, it would forever be known as: McGarvey's. This promotional piece ran in the Lorain Journal and Times-Herald on July 24, 1939.

This ad (below) is also from 1939. It ran in the Sandusky Register on July 29, 1939.

Here’s a Sandusky Register ad from January 30, 1942.

Jumping ahead to the 1950s, here’s an advertising piece from the Sandusky Register of April 2, 1955, promoting the restaurant’s “new look,” designed to resemble a ship. Note the ad on the left promoting the children’s menu.

And here’s another ad from 1955. This one ran in the Lorain Times-Herald on June 21, 1955.

By 1956, the ads were mentioning owners Charlie Solomon and his son Eddy. This ad ran in the Register on July 25, 1956.

Charlie Solomon and his partner Frank Kelsey had purchased the business in 1945. Within a few years, Eddy Solomon had joined the business as his father’s new partner, making it a true family affair.

Here’s another 1950s ad with a Lobster Bake theme. It ran in the Lorain Journal on April 1, 1959.

Here's one from 1960 (below) that ran in the Sandusky Register on June 28th.

Here's an advertising feature from the Sandusky Register of May 16, 1961 featuring father and son.

Charlie Solomon passed away in early April 1963. Here is the front page article about his passing that ran in the Lorain Journal on April 4, 1963.

From that point on, “Cap’n Eddy” Solomon would run the restaurant on his own, using his charm and flamboyant personality to make every customer’s dining experience memorable, with great service and great food.

Vintage matchbook

Here’s a "Golden Crescent Guide to Dining and Dancing” feature spotlighting McGarvey’s. It ran in the Journal on March 21, 1969.

McGarvey’s was also featured on a variety of postcards over the years. Here are a few of them.

Cap’n Eddy sold the restaurant in 1990. The Vermilion Port Authority eventually demolished the McGarvey’s restaurant building. 

A new restaurant called Red Clay on the River then occupied the location for several years. Today it is the home of Quaker Steak & Lube.

McGarvey’s may be gone, but it lives on in the minds and memories of its customers.