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Olympia Restaurant Papers

 Collection
Identifier: RH-A-4309

Scope and Contents

The collection is composed of two menus from the Olympia Candy Co. restaurant in Kalamazoo, MI. The first menu is circa 1920 and the second menu is from the 1938 season.

Dates

  • Creation: approximately 1920, 1938 seasons

Creator

Biographical / Historical

Based on newspaper articles, the Olympia Candy Co. operated from roughly 1910 to 1965. The company originally occupied a building in Portage, MI, but relocated to Kalamazoo in 1916. The building they moved to had been previously occupied by the Strand Company. The business suffered a fire in 1934 in the basement, resulting in a floor cave in and about $30,000 in damages. Waitress needed help ads can be found in Kalamazoo Gazette issues in the 50s and 60s.

Extent

.10 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased with funds from Starring Endowment.

Physical Description

This collection is .10 cubic feet and is composed of two items from the Olympia Candy Co. in Kalamazoo, MI. One menu is circa 1920 and the second menu is from the 1938 season. Both menus detail the many different treats and dishes served at the Olympia. The circa 1920 menu is made from heavy paper. The cover is slate blue and the pages are off white. It is less sturdy and colorful than the other menu and there is some fraying on the top and bottom of the pages, the front cover has a piece missing from the lower right-hand side, and the back cover has been glued onto something else before. The text on the back cover is not legible due to some paper still remaining from when it was glued down. The 1938 menu is made from heavy textured paper and the front cover is bright yellow with red and black Greek themed illustrations and text. The back cover has some glue or other substance in the top left-hand corner but all text is still legible. Overall, both items are in good condition.

Title
Olympia Restaurant Papers finding aid
Status
Completed
Author
Stephanie Chapman
Date
2022-11-29
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Western Michigan University Archives & Regional History Collections Repository

Contact:
Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center
1650 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5307 US
(269) 387-8490