Eden Valley Enterprises -- Lost Restaurants

The Silver Grille was the restaurant in Higbee's Department Store. Its elegant room on the 10th floor made everyone feel special! It was recently renovated and reopened as part of the Ritz Carleton

Memories:

J.H. Flora sent this memory: "The Silver Grille was on the top floor, I believe the 10th, of the Higbee Department Store on Public Square. Once, in the early 1980's, I met my wife and two oldest kids there for lunch. I don't remember the menu but do remember the place had a classy Art Deco design and was suitable for preschool children. My son's lunch came in a box that looked like a Higbee delivery truck and my daughter's in a box that looked like a stove.

"Years later, after the store had closed and the upper floors were turned into office space, I worked in the Higbee Building for a few years. At this time, I heard that the renovations had not extended to the top floor and the Silver Grille was preserved intact although it was only used occasionally. During this time, I would sometimes see the distinctive, aluminum chairs from the Silver Grille in the public spaces of the building when they were set up for special events.

"Note that the Higbee Department Store was featured in the movie "A Christmas Story." The exterior shows up in the Christmas parade scenes. Ralphie sees the Red Ryder BB gun in the window at the corner of Euclid and Ontario. The Santa mountain was set up on the first floor."(June 12, 2018)

Lee Jaratovac sent this memory: "The Silver Grill was so special especially for my 2 daughters - the lovely store and great dishes were fascinating for them. My son only ate his lunch without any impression! When I moved several years ago we finally threw the stove away from the 'play kitchen'!! Many lovely memories were shared at that time!"(October 15, 2019)

Nina Bentzen wrote that her worked in the Executive Towers of Terminal Tower for CSX and they employed the Silver Grille's "food and ambiance." (October, 2020)

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