JEWEL DINER - RED'S CAFE

by Glena Neumeyer

Entry B52 from the History of Hooker County Nebraska
with permission of the Hooker County Historical Society

Red's Cafe - 1988

The present Red's Cafe is a block building
on highway No. 2 on the west edge of Mullen.
The building was built by Walter Lange and
Sons in the 1960's to store their carpentry
supplies. After the Lange's business was
dissolved, Red and Glena Meumeyer pur-
chased the building in 1972 and remodeled
it for a cafe and bar and closed the "Jewel
Diner" which was just east.

The "Jewel Diner" came into being
through the efforts of Perry Neumeyer in the
later 1940s. In 1955 his sister-in-law, Glena,
became his helper, driving to and from
Seneca. Her husband, Red, worked on con-
struction.

After Perry's passing in 1959, his daughter
and husband, Ethel and John Aarants came
to operate the Diner but didn't stay too long.
It was under various managements until in
1969 when Red and Glena became operators.
In 1972 when Red purchased the Lange
building, the Jewel Diner was closed, and
when Red passed away in 1985, Glena and
son, Bill, continued to operate the Cafe.

In September 1986, a fire of unknown
origin destroyed much of the interior. Glena
accepted the fire as a challenge and immedi-
ately began to remodel. In addition to
remodeling, a 14 foot extension was built onto
the east side giving additional storage and
dining space. 6 months and 15 days after
September 1986, Red's Cafe was again ready
for business!

Edith Cash and Judy Anderson have
helped Glena as cooks and waitresses for
several years. Bill following in his Dad's
footsteps and works on construction during
the summer months, coming to his Mother's
rescue when repairs are needed.