Heimann's Barbecue Ad – Dec. 1, 1954

Who doesn't love barbecue?

According to research, more than 80% of the American public own their own barbecue grills or smokers. And barbecue chain restaurants like Famous Dave's and City Barbecue are enjoying greater popularity and success each year.

It seems like barbecue has always been popular in our area, judging by vintage ads in the Lorain Journal. Many local restaurants made it the main item on their menu, including the Pueblo, Vian's, the Charcoal Pit and The Pit.

And here's another barbecue restaurant that was right on US 6 on the east side of Lorain for many years: Heimann's Barbecue. Seventy years ago, it was celebrating the Grand Opening of its newly enlarged and redecorated restaurant. Above is the full-page ad that ran in the Lorain Journal on Dec. 1, 1954.

How long had it been there? An article that ran in the Lorain Journal on June 21, 1955 provides some history. "When Heimann's Barbecue, Inc., was founded by William C. (Bud) Heimann almost 29 years ago at 402-406 East Erie," it notes, "it featured ice cream and sandwiches and had only eight seats.

"Today it is one of the most modern and best equipped restaurants in northern Ohio, has a large counter service and seating for 166 in the air conditioned dining room and private dining den.

"The barbecue now has a catering service available throughout the county, serves everything from sandwiches to full course dinners and still features homemade ice cream.

"Heimann purchased the store from Charles James in November, 1926. It had previously been owned by Mrs. Ida Stark and was operated first as a shoe store and later as an ice cream store.

"Heimann has a large staff of workers and is assisted in the management by his wife, Loretta."

As the article noted, Heimann bought the business in 1926. This ad from the July 2, 1925 Lorain Journal may be the one that caught his eye and gave him the idea of owning his own business.

And here is a sampling of ads through the years. As you can see, World War II affected the business, which reverted temporarily back to its roots.

Dec. 24, 1938

Aug. 24, 1942

Aug. 15, 1949

In the early 1950s, Heimann's offered one of the first frozen TV dinners – the "Frigidinner." According to History.com, it was entrepreneur Jack Fisher who came up with the idea of placing pre-frozen meals in aluminum trays and marketing them exclusively to bars and taverns who could then feed their customers without having to hire a cook. The businesses (such as Heimann's) could also sell them to their patrons to take home.

March 29, 1952

July 18, 1953

But of course, barbecue was still the mainstay of the menu.

Sept. 13, 1952

July 21, 1955

William Heimann passed away in early July 1969. The barbecue business continued into the early 1970s, but apparently came to a close with a huge auction held in the parking lot of the restaurant in September 1974. Mrs. Heimann passed away in late March 1992.

And what became of the building? It continued its legacy of being a place where people could enjoy fine food. In 1975, it became the home of the well-remembered Lannie's Chinese Restaurant.

July 20, 1975 Journal article