OLDEST Restaurant on Historic Main Street - Grapevine, TX
N 32° 56.189 W 097° 04.711
14S E 679639 N 3645883
A sign on the front of Willhoite's Restaurant at 432 S Main St notes it as the oldest extant restaurant on Grapevine's historic Main Street, dating back to 1981.
Waymark Code: WMXGXW
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 01/11/2018
Views: 0
This is also a contributing building to the Grapevine Commercial Historic District, and it has been lovingly restored. The sign provides not only the restaurant's history, but also some history of the businesses which had previously called this building "home":
Eat, Drink and Step Back in Time at
Main Street's Oldest Restaurant
Welcome to Grapevine and its historic Main Street! You are standing in front of one of the oldest buildings in the city and most unique restaurant in Texas. Where else will you find a 1927 Model T Ford on an antique hydraulic lift atop the buffet station?
Built in 1913, this building first served as a department store and was used for a time as a silent movie theater. In 1919, it was transformed into Willhoite Garage, the first full-service automotive station in Grapevine. It was named for Andrew Willey Willhoite, who along with his business partner, Bart H. Starr, opened the garage. In 1936, Andrew Willhoite's son, Ted, joined the business and operated it until 1975 when he retired. It was then used as a furniture warehouse until 1980.
Grapevine native Phil Parker purchased the building in 1980 and renovated it into Willhoite's Restaurant & Galleria, with retail shops occupying a portion of the lower and upper levels. The restaurant became successful and eventually encompassed the entire building, adding a private dining room and pool tables to the upper level. In 2017, the building's front was restored to its original appearance.
From the beginning, Phil Parker and his son, Eric, have been committed to restoring the building, authentically as possible and keeping many aspects of the automotive shop. Willhoite's pays tribute to its long-standing roots in the city with original brick walls and ceiling; a gas pump outside the front entrance; historical photos, signs and memorabilia; and a buffet station that is mounted with a 1927 Model T Ford on an original hydraulic lift that was used in the garage! Where diners eat now are the former wash rack, oil storage area, and next to the indoor kerosene pump.
There is not a business on Main Street that has had more people come through its doors than Willhoite's Restaurant, which opened January 17, 1981, and is one of the oldest restaurants still operating in the city. Known for its all-you-can-eat buffet, great menu, Sunday brunch, happy hour, live entertainment, and Texas hospitality, Willhoite's is a popular destination for locals and visitors. We were proud to be one of the oldest businesses on Main Street and offer a glimpse into Grapevine's history. Come on in and see for yourself!
For more information, visit WWW.WILLHOITES.COM
FIRST - Classification Variable: Place or Location
Date of FIRST: 01/17/1981
More Information - Web URL: [Web Link]
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