Neva's Place Offers Home-Cooking And A New Atmosphere
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
NORTH WEBSTER - One wall of the restaurant is dominated by a mural depicting the town's past.
Collaged together by David Butler and printed by an Indianapolis firm, are scenes of the old mill, citizens in town on a Saturday night, the first Mermaid Festival Queen Peg Kammerer (Mrs. Richard Klopenstein), the Old Mill store and its owners, the bandstand, the theatre and the Webster, the area's first steamboat.
Customers are drawn to the wall, just as they're drawn to where it's housed, Neva's Place on Esterbrook Drive.
"This is my dream come true," owner Neva Hartman said Tuesday night during an open house. "When I was little this is what I wanted to do."
What she's doing, and has done for the last 10 years, is provide home-style meals. The "place" is different though. This summer, Hartman moved her establishment from the old shopping mall, 720 S. Main St., to the south side of town.
The 5,000-square-foot building includes seating for 102 in the dining area and for another 100 in a banquet hall called The Gathering Place.
"When I was little I knew this is what I wanted to do."
And she has had the building designed ever since she opened Neva's Place in 1993.
"The layout for this building has been on paper for 10 years. I would make revisions now and then."
Although she's given up her evenings, because the restaurant is open for evening meals, "the response has been overwhelming.
"Folks in North Webster told me we need a nice family restaurant. A lot of people don't want alcohol served where they bring their kids."
When the hall isn't booked for a banquet, it's open for family game nights and karaoke. Future plans include the installation of a flat-screen television for Indiana University game nights and murder mystery dinners.
Hartman's daughter, Lacey Patterson, works full time, and her son, Joshua Patterson, a college student, work's part time.
While the floor staff has remained the same, customers will see a few new faces. And customers have to come with a sense of humor.
"We all like to laugh, joke with everyone and tease the old guys," she said. "Otherwise they would think something is wrong." [[In-content Ad]]
NORTH WEBSTER - One wall of the restaurant is dominated by a mural depicting the town's past.
Collaged together by David Butler and printed by an Indianapolis firm, are scenes of the old mill, citizens in town on a Saturday night, the first Mermaid Festival Queen Peg Kammerer (Mrs. Richard Klopenstein), the Old Mill store and its owners, the bandstand, the theatre and the Webster, the area's first steamboat.
Customers are drawn to the wall, just as they're drawn to where it's housed, Neva's Place on Esterbrook Drive.
"This is my dream come true," owner Neva Hartman said Tuesday night during an open house. "When I was little this is what I wanted to do."
What she's doing, and has done for the last 10 years, is provide home-style meals. The "place" is different though. This summer, Hartman moved her establishment from the old shopping mall, 720 S. Main St., to the south side of town.
The 5,000-square-foot building includes seating for 102 in the dining area and for another 100 in a banquet hall called The Gathering Place.
"When I was little I knew this is what I wanted to do."
And she has had the building designed ever since she opened Neva's Place in 1993.
"The layout for this building has been on paper for 10 years. I would make revisions now and then."
Although she's given up her evenings, because the restaurant is open for evening meals, "the response has been overwhelming.
"Folks in North Webster told me we need a nice family restaurant. A lot of people don't want alcohol served where they bring their kids."
When the hall isn't booked for a banquet, it's open for family game nights and karaoke. Future plans include the installation of a flat-screen television for Indiana University game nights and murder mystery dinners.
Hartman's daughter, Lacey Patterson, works full time, and her son, Joshua Patterson, a college student, work's part time.
While the floor staff has remained the same, customers will see a few new faces. And customers have to come with a sense of humor.
"We all like to laugh, joke with everyone and tease the old guys," she said. "Otherwise they would think something is wrong." [[In-content Ad]]