McGarvey’s Restaurant [circa 1950]
UNVEILED July 16, 2020
SPONSORS Judy Klucas, Lynn Miggins
SITE 537 Main, Vermilion Water Works, east wall along the river
ARTIST Brian Goodwin
McGarvey’s Restaurant served as a Vermilion landmark starting in 1929. At that time it was known as Helfrich’s, owned and operated by Charles Helfrich. What started as a thriving boat and canoe rental business on the east side of the Vermilion River, evolved into a popular eatery featuring hot fish sandwiches. In 1936 the business was purchased by Charlie McGarvey and was renamed McGarvey’s Boat Drive-in Restaurant. In 1944 it was purchased by Charles Solomon, who kept the name McGarvey’s and built the restaurant’s reputation, becoming one of the most successful and well-loved eateries on the shore of Lake Erie for 44 years. (TRIVIA QUESTION: Can you name a famous restaurant on Lake Erie that had three successive owners, all named Charles?)
In 1989 McGarvey’s was sold to a national chain, Tony Roma’s Place for Ribs. The business did not catch on and the building fell on hard times. In 2000 the Vermilion Port Authority bought the property and razed the old restaurant building, which was heartbreaking to generations of patrons and their families. Many shared fond memories of McGarvey’s unique boat-shaped salad bar, the toy chest for kids, the famous sauerkraut balls, all enjoyed while watching a parade of beautiful boats float by on the Vermilion River.
Today McGarvey’s Landing is operated by the Vermilion Port Authority, providing boat dockage, picnic tables, and easy access to all that Vermilion has to offer.
LEARN MORE
Public Art Vermilion's Postcard Project
Memories of McGarvey’s, Lorain Morning Journal
Vermilion Historical Society: History of McGarvey’s Restaurant
McGarvey’s Restaurant (formerly Helfrich’s)