Local historian Brian Spangle recently revisited the history of a popular restaurant location in Vincennes in his latest column. Hoffie’s, a restaurant owned by Herman Hoffman, opened in 1960 on the corner of Sixth and Busseron Streets (16 North Sixth Street), but prior to that, three other restaurants had occupied the same space.
The first restaurant was the Parkway Café, opened by Clyde Richardson in February 1940. The Parkway served a variety of dishes, with a focus on offering quality food at reasonable prices. In 1951, Clay Adkins took over and renamed the restaurant to Ducharme’s Café, with a menu featuring daily specials like steak and chicken. In 1955, it became Winkler’s Café, known for its steak dinners.
In 1960, Hoffman opened Hoffie’s, which continued to offer the popular Rose Room for private parties. Over the years, the restaurant went through different owners and name changes, including a stint as Charlie’s Steak House in the 1960s. However, by the end of the decade, the location was no longer a restaurant, and the building eventually had to be demolished due to deteriorating conditions.
Spangle’s column sheds light on the rich history of this location, which served as a beloved dining establishment for the Vincennes community for several decades. For more historical insights from Brian Spangle, readers can find his latest book, “Lost Vincennes,” available at the Knox County Public Library and on Amazon. For inquiries or further information, Brian can be contacted at brianrspangle60@outlook.com.
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