The Spot restaurant was opened in 1907 when a man parked a chuck
wagon on the corner of Court and Ohio Street. Regulations
at the time prohibited food establishments on wheels so he took
them off and a permanent structure was born for the Spot Restaurant.
This man, known as Spot Miller, sold the restaurant in 1913 to
Joseph Cook and it became known as Cook’s Spot. In 1917
Ray Anderson became a partner in the business. The two gentlemen
started a chain of “Spot to Eat” restaurants in Athens,
Urbana, Lima, Bellefontaine, and Piqua. Only the original exists
today! It was during this time in the early twenties that the
special was “28 burgers for $1.00”!
It still says Cook’s Spot on the sides of the current
building which was built in 1941 after a New Year’s Eve
fire destroyed the business. The current facility is a fine
example of the streamlined Art Moderne style with a smooth,
unornamented wall surface faced with gleaming white porcelain
tile. A mid-century modern neon sign over the door is intact.
In 1950, Robert Hepler, a Lima native, purchased the Spot.
Under his ownership, the catering business was created. Homemade
pie also became a priority and the restaurant is now famous
for spot Pies, all made fresh from scratch daily.
In 1980, Robert and Barbara Eilert purchased the facility and
continued the tradition in both the restaurant and catering.
During their ownership the catering business was built and expanded
into what it is today. A new catering kitchen was also built.
They also entered into an agreement to provide the catering
services at the Oaks Club at Shelby Oaks Golf Course.
In 1999, Barry Eilert and Michael Jannides purchased the restaurant
and catering business and continued building the long time Sidney
institution. 
In May 2002, Michael Jannides purchased Barry’s interest
in the business thus becoming the third generation in his family
of owning a restaurant in downtown Sidney. Michael’s grandfather,
John Kookootsedes, owned and operated the Purity Confectionery
from 1919 to 1962 on the Northwest corner of the Square. From
1962 to 1967 the Purity operated out of the Ohio Building by
his uncle, George Kookootsedes. Michael plans on continuing
the long tradition of providing that homemade taste that is
the Spot and family tradition. |