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Since the restaurant’s inception in its original location in 1925, Highland Park Cafeteria has been a place for gathering. Whether with your family, your gardening club or for a bridal lunch, chances are Highland Park Cafeteria has hosted it.
Upon the closure of the historic Highland Park Cafeteria, we went through the archives to find some of the stories that encapsulate the Dallas institution’s community focus and giving spirit.
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1953: Highland Park Cafeteria helped mother of released war prisoner get to California for his homecoming
Pfc. Kenneth F. Nevill of the Marine Corps was reported missing in Korea on July 9, 1953. He was thought to be dead. On Aug. 25, 1953, his mother, Velma Nevill, a pie server, learned that he was alive upon a report from The Dallas Morning News that he was freed by the Communists.
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In late August of 1953, Velma Nevill learned from the War Department that her son was in good condition and would be transferred to the United States by ship at an early date.
She got a happy surprise on Aug. 26, when car salesman Al Baugher showed up at her door with $217 collected from himself and his colleagues at Ben Griffin Auto Company. He had read the story in The News about Nevill’s release and wanted to do something to help Velma Nevill. The donated money was enough to cover a roundtrip ticket to San Francisco.
On Aug. 29, 1953, The News reported that Velma Nevill received even more donations and gifts. She recieved cakes, flowers, and other presents from customers of Highland Park Cafeteria, who also started a travel fund for her, as well as donations from other neighboring businesses.
She was also given a second paid vacation from Highland Park Cafeteria so she could make the trip out to San Francisco.
The Dallas Morning News quoted Velma Nevill saying, “Some people don’t believe in dreams, but I do.”
1972: ‘Mama Goodie’ Receives Service Award
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Carolyn Goodman, also known as “Mama Goodie” and “Mrs. Carolyn," was the co-owner and operator of Highland Park Cafeteria from the time of its founding with her husband Dewey Goodman until her death in 1995.
In June of 1972, she was presented with the Texas Restaurant Association’s Distinguished Service award. She was selected for the award as “the woman who has done more than any other during the past year in building the image of the food service industry in Texas.”
She became the first president to the Women’s Auxiliary of the Dallas Restaurant Association in 1952. She was also the chairman of the educational committee with a theme of “education upgrades the industry.”
Upon acceptance of the award, Goodman said, “Our work is really play. Being at the cafeteria is like being at a continual party as so many longtime and newly made friends come in every day.”
A philanthropic track record
Throughout the decades, Highland Park Cafeteria has donated time and food to various charity events. The restaurant was a frequent favorite at “A Taste of Dallas," a food festival that had a charitable focus.
In October of 1969, the second annual festival was held, with dozens of local restaurants offering their specialty dishes all in one place, with proceeds going to the local YMCA, St. Augustine’s Mission, St. Theresa’s Misison, and the Creative Learning Center.
In 1970, the event benefitted “Breakfast for Kids," a new program created by the Dallas Restaurant Association that provided free breakfast to needy school children who “otherwise would have to go to school without this nourishing meal.”
The restaurant was regularly featured at many other events through the decades.
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The Highland Park Cafeteria stayed in the Goodman family up until Carolyn’s death in 1995. The restaurant was then sold to an outside third party.
The philanthropic spirit of Highland Park Cafeteria continued up until its last weeks. With the economic impact of the coronavirus causing restaurants to close their dining rooms, the restaurant chose to give their food away instead of switching to a pick-up/delivery model as many other restaurants did. Any further remaining food will be donated to local charities, with an auction also taking place to benefit Highland Park Cafeteria employees.
Interested in learning more about local history? Become a Dallas News Plus subscriber at archives.dallasnews.com.
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