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Popular Bloomington landmark closes after 49 years Published Nov. 15, 2006 Dana Reynolds stands behind the counter at the cash register at Ladyman’s Cafe ringing up an elderly customer. She has a short conversation with the man, whom she knows by name, as she listens to him complain about his Social Security.
She gives him his change and lets out a sigh as he leaves, knowing that she will only wait on him a few more times. The previous months of sadness and stress show through her eyes. Yet, she forces a smile for her customers. Reynolds, 43-year-old owner of Ladyman’s Café, fights back tears when talking about her restaurant, which, after 49 years of business, was sold, unknowingly to her, to Heartland Development to become another victim of downtown corporate takeovers. “It’s just a shame,” Reynolds said. “The local people that live here and the college students come into our town for the old-time charm and for the feel of a home away from home. I believe all that will be taken away.” After graduating high school, Reynolds started in the restaurant business as a waitress at Gib and Denzils. In 1989, after gaining experience, she decided to leave her job when management of the restaurant changed. She then began her career at Ladyman’s. In 2001, then owners Ted and Mike Ladyman decided to sell their business and offered it to Reynolds. “I knew it was going to be a big plunge to take,” Reynolds said. “But I wanted to save all of our jobs so I did it. And I’ve had five great years running Ladyman’s.” Today, Ladyman’s isn’t her job, it’s her life. The patrons who walk into her restaurant aren’t customers, they’re family. Frequent customer Mark White walks by and greets Reynolds with, “Hi Mom.” “When you are here you are at home,” White said. “That’s why I call her mom.”
Customers come to Ladyman’s for the staff they love, but the restaurant has also become a daily routine for many. Ladyman’s is one of the few restaurants today that knows a customer’s usual or has a regular’s drink on the table before they come. “There is nothing like the homey feel that you get here, and the traditional diner from long ago is what Ladyman’s Café is,” Reynolds said. In May of 2006, Ladyman’s suffered from a fire causing the restaurant to close for three weeks for repairs and cleaning. During that time Reynolds said customers stopped by daily to check the progress, but they also reminded her to make no changes. Reynolds said that one man stopped by everyday. He stopped eating lunch during those three weeks. “He had gotten in a routine,” Reynolds said. “And he didn’t know what to do for lunch without Ladyman’s. I’ll worry about those customers when we close.” On Dec. 10, Ladyman’s will serve its last meal before closing its doors forever. The building will then be demolished, and a new five-story building to house Finelight Strategic Marketing Communications will take its place, a trend that is becoming increasingly obvious across Bloomington. “I think years from now, people are going to say that they wish Ladyman’s Café were at this corner,” Reynolds said. “At the corner of Washington and Kirkwood Avenue.” The community has shown that it is saddened to see Ladyman’s leave its home of almost 50 years. Friends and customers petitioned by writing comments on the sidewalk outside of the restaurant. Reynolds has appealed to the owner of the property, gone to the mayor’s office and spoken to the city council, but she said now the only chance they have is a miracle. “This is my fight,” she said. “I’ve fought the fight the best I know how.”
Customers realize there is nothing left to do but continue asking Reynolds about the future. She said the plans she had were taken away by big business, and as of now, no future plans for Ladyman’s exist. Customers want Reynolds to relocate the restaurant, but she knows it would never be the same. “You can’t take the knotty walls away or the old feel away from Ladyman’s,” Reynolds said. “And that’s one of my reservations about moving it. I can’t pack up 49 years of history and take it down the road with me. It’s just not going to be the same Ladyman’s.” No matter what happens, nothing will compare to the original Ladyman’s. And no matter how much destruction and rebuilding occurs, Reynolds thinks the community will always remember Ladyman’s on that corner and appreciate it more than any big business. “To reach Ladyman’s Café you have to walk in the door and experience what we have to offer,” Reynolds said. “To reach Finelight, you plug in your computer and you can reach them all over the world if you need to order something from them. What you need to order from Ladyman’s can only be prepared at 122 East Kirkwood Avenue.”
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