Talks are underway to revive a restaurant that has been part of Columbus’ history for more than 80 years.
If an agreement can be reached, Lucas Brothers Sandwich Shop will reopen in FairOaks Mall in the space formerly occupied by Special Dogs & More.
That’s according to the son of the most recent owner, William Broaddus. He is the grandson of Donna Cannon, who began an owner/manager of the restaurant in 1973. Her daughter and Broaddus’ mother, Cheri L. Perkins, took over in 2005 and was owner/manager until the sandwich shop closed in 2013.
Although a lease has not yet been finalized, the 46-year-old former Cummins engineer is focusing his full-time attention on reviving the restaurant.
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“I’ve been wanting to do this for quite awhile,” Broaddus said. “This is the chance to carry on an iconic business, as well as the heritage of my family.”
There wasn’t much of a hoopla when the restaurant opened during the latter part of the Great Depression.
On Sept. 24, 1937, the following was the full notice published on Page 2 of The Evening Republican, forerunner to The Republic:
”The Lucas Brothers from Bloomington have purchased the Hinkle sandwich stands on Fourth and Fifth streets. Mr. Hinkle is preparing to open a similar business near the Reliance Manufacturing Plant.”
The brothers were Merlin “Pete” Lucas and Lloyd “Doc” Lucas, who would eventually consolidate the two former Hinkle stands into one location at 423 Fourth St.
For decades, Lucas Bros. Sandwich Shop operated next to the Palms Cafe and Tavern behind what was then the First National Bank of Columbus at Fourth and Washington.
With the grill in the front window and the interior little more than 17 seats lined up at a counter, the Fourth Street location was extremely cramped.
Nevertheless, it was often filled to capacity, and residents often talked about the aroma of burgers cooked with onions wafting over the downtown area.
Today, you can experience nearly the same aroma at the Jonesville Tavern (also known as “The Brick), which was also established by Pete Lucas in 1956.
While Lloyd “Doc” Lucas eventually left Indiana to move to Mountain View, California, two other brothers — William J. Lucas and Howard Lucas — eventually became partners in the business.
Eventually, Pete Lucas decided to focus all of his attention on The Brick while his wife, Jane, oversaw the Fourth St. location. But eventually, the entire Lucas family gave up ownership in the mid-60s.
The restaurant then went through a number of investors that included Elma and Charley Craft, who later sold it to Austin Sylvester, who then allowed Benny Ping to take over the business.
But a constant at the sandwich shop was Donna Cannon, the grandmother of William Broaddus who began working a Lucas Bros. in 1953. Twenty years later, she and her husband, Dean Cannon, purchased the restaurant from Ping, and kept it in their family until it closed 40 years later.
In 1979, the Cannons were able to expand their operations into Brown County. They later opened a secondary location within the former Northside Drug Store in the 25th St. Shopping Center. But neither expansion lasted very long.
And in 1983, the lease on the main downtown restaurant ran out. The building was eventually torn down to make room for a bank drive-thru window.
That prompted the Cannons to move to 1841 Indiana Ave., near the intersection of State Street and Indiana Avenue. However, that building was also eventually torn down as part of a massive street improvement project.
The owners most associated with Lucas Bros. are gone now. Merlin “Pete” Lucas died in 1996. Donna Cannon passed away in 2005, and her daughter, Cheri Perkins, died last July.
But Broaddus, whose family has been associated with the restaurant for well over 60 years, believe local residents are ready for the return of what he describes as a “Columbus icon.”
Although the acquisition of the mall by the city has given Broaddus concern, he say a Lucas Bros. Sandwich Shop would likely be welcomed if it is turned into an indoor sports facility.
While he examined a number of potential downtown locations, Broaddus said all would need expensive remodeling. But since there’s already equipment at the former Special Dogs and More location, he said the Fair Oaks location would be the most affordable.
Broaddus still has the original grill used at Lucas Bros., as well as the original recipes for favorites such as hamburgers, chili, white bean soup and old-fashioned red hot dogs.
If the one-year contract being requested can be reached with mall manager Veritas Reality of Indianapolis, Broaddus said his next step will be to hire up to four employees.
