Code,999103
Subject,William Gruber
Date,7/16/2010
Interviewer,Michelle Epps
Abstract,"Interview with William Gruber who is the son of the founder of Gruber's Restaurant in Shaker Heights.  He offers his recollections and family stories about the popular, upscale restaurant, which the family owned  throughout the 1950's."
Tags,
Special Notes,"Interiew began with questions being asked by John Claussen until minute 26, then Michelle Epps conducted it until minute 33 when they alternated questions until the end."
Minutes:,36:27:00
0,"At Shaker Heights Historical Society, John Claussen found about 100 pictures of Gruber's Restaurant in the collection and learned that the son of the owner, Bill Gruber, was still in the area. "
1,"Family background.  Parents--Roman and Peg Gruber married in 1946.  Father came from a restaurant family--grandfather Maximillian originally from Germany, opened restaurants when he arrived in Cleveland in 1903. Roman born in 1908, became a lawyer."
2,"Roman graduated in 1934 from Western Reserve Law School--from the west side and went to West High   Lived in Clifton Park, Lakewood.  Knew famous people such as Eliot Ness, who lived there.  Was in the Coast Guard and then the Navy during the war.  Bill's mother worked for the county and her father was also a lawyer.  Roman and Peg marry in 1946."
3,"Lived briefly in Cleveland Hts, then moved to Shaker and lived with Peg's brother's family on Winchell.  Built own house around 1950 in Beachwood.  At request of his mother, Roman and his brother (both lawyers) open restaurant."
4,"Open Gruber's Restaurant (1947-1960).  Sold it in '60, and it went out of business in 1965.  Not sure why the location was chosen.  Right on the rapid line, and in Shaker--which was an up and coming neighborhood that was expanding after the war.  So, it seemed a good business opportunity at the time."
5,"More upscale than the other family places had been (those were smaller taverns).  They wanted to appeal to the 'carriage trade'.  Bill Gruber born in 1955, so few personal recollections about the restaurant."
6,Casks of live lobsters.  Didn't eat there often (lunches and birthday parties).  Elegant place--not geared for children.
7,"Many celebreties ate there.  Paul Brown--owner of the Browns was there a lot.  Bill Veeck (only man allowed in without a tie).  Many of the baseball players, especially Bob Feller, Hank Greenburg."
8,Windsor French (gossip columnist for Cleveland Press) hung out there.  He and others that went there a lot were nicknamed 'The Jolly Set'.  Many charity fundraisers held there.  The Vogue Theatre was next door--had an elephant bring a birthday present down the aisle.  Many parties.
9,"Father was always working there at night after working downtown at the law practice all day, and on the weekends.  He kept the books, hired/fired, managed, tasted/tested (but couldn't cook)."
10,Even critiqued own wife's cooking at home.  Had a very sensitive pallate.  Tried out many coffee blends and looked for the best brewing method.
11,"Meticulous.  Picked out the meat at the Central Market--very particular specifications.  Food was eclectic--maybe French, which was very popular then.  Hearty, heavy, very complicated dishes."
12,"Good chefs, the food was considered excellent.  Off limits to African Americans.  Father regretted that later, but believed the clientele wouldn't accept it."
13,"Were African Americans working there. Uncle Max was the front of the house man--greeting guests, but was oblivious to celebrities."
14,"Uncle Max asks man for a favor saying a female Hollywood star was coming--alone. Women didn't normally eat alone, weren't even allowed in the bar alone.  Max wanted the man to have dinner with her.  She turned out to be Jayne Mansfield."
15,Other celebs--Perry Como.  Sold to the Harvey chain at the end of 1960.  Closed in '65.
16,Huge snowstorm in 1950.  Restaurant was closed due to the weather.  Father grabbed champagne/steaks etc from the restaurant and had a huge party with the neighbors.
17,"Customers became friends of the family.  Bill still gets asked if he's related, they tell him stories about their experiences at the restaurant."
18,"One guy brings his date there, but forgets his wallet at home.  Father said, 'don't worry about it. Pay me tomorrow.'  Special occasion restaurant.  Won food awards.  Signature dish--sauerkraut balls."
19,"Sauerkraut balls began as a way to use up leftover meat, etc, but became a sensation--well known around the country."
20,"Fine food, but found ways to mix in German food from the family's other restaurants.  "
21,"Also served fancy drinks.  Bar had a fireplace, and it was made into a comfortable room--not like a corner bar, more like being in someone's basement.  Original wood bar was removed and taken to their house on Belvoir."
22,"Father preferred law, and didn't necessarily want his children pursuing careers in the restaurant business.  Most in the family are lawyers now."
23,Tough to run a large independent restaurant.  Father kept a lot of things from the restaurant.
24,"After his father died, Bill found the account books and blueprints.  Also has awards, recipes and menus.  Glimpse into the era after the war."
25,Historical significance of Gruber's--atttempt to be a piece of New York in Cleveland.
26,"New recipes (like sauerkraut balls) offered as specials, then, through word of mouth they become popular.  Otherwise they quit offering it.  No lines at the restaurant--people made reservations."
27,Gruber's put a nickel in the reservation card that was placed on the table to refund the person for making the call for the reservation.  Later asked the customers to donate the nickel to charity and would have a benefit with the nickels.
28,Just served lunch and dinner--probably closed one or two day each week.
29,Formed a Foundation that hosted fund raiser dinners.  Restaurant would provide the food and drink.  People would pay to attend.  Each dinner was for a specific charity.
30,"Common now--firms on Wall St have to have a Foundation arm.  Were no general credit cards then, so some stores and restaurants had their own."
31,"Gruber's started their own credit card, so people knew they could come and just be billed.  Same idea as keeping a bar tab.  Aunt Ruth--professional skater that skated with Sonjia Henje.  Liked the society the restaurant attracted, and had no children."
32,Aunt and uncle spent a lot of time at the restaurant.
33,They (aunt and uncle) socialized a lot with the customers.  Restaurant probably didn't have live music when the Gruber's owned it.  The Harvey chain had it--which was shocking to Mr Gruber (not the purpose of the restaurant). A place for a nice meal and conversation.
34,"A lot of regulars, but not recognizable (to William Gruber).  Restaurant opened at grandmother's urging."
35,"Father and uncle tiring of it after 13 years.  Father wanted to pursue his law practice.  Uncle Max was on the Cleveland Library board, and ran for public office a few times, and he was an executive with Euclid National Bank (maybe President of the bank). "
36,"By 1958, father had 4 kids and two jobs at 50 years old, and it was hard to keep that daily grind up.  They were ready to give up the restaurant business."
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