By SALINA POST
Salina Post proudly presents Flashback Friday in partnership with the Smoky Hill Museum. Enjoy a weekly tidbit of local history from the staff at Salina Post and the Smoky Hill Museum as we present "Salina-Flashback Fridays."
A and G Cafe
On May 18, 1931, brothers Art and Gus Thodis embarked on a journey that would leave a mark on Salina’s cultural and culinary landscape. With a $500 loan and boundless determination, the Thodis brothers opened the A & G Café at 147 N. Santa Fe Avenue, christening it with the first letters of their names.
From humble beginnings, the café quickly became a beloved fixture in downtown Salina. Gus Thodis fondly recalled their first customer, a treasurer from Lee Mercantile, who thankfully paid with exact change, easing the brothers' initial fears of operating with limited cash on hand.
As the years went by, A & G Café not only grew in size but also in significance. On August 25, 1936, the day Gus’s son John was born, the restaurant relocated to 151 N. Santa Fe Avenue. The café expanded again in 1965, demonstrating the Thodis family’s unwavering faith in their community even after the closure of Schilling Air Force Base.
The café, affectionately known as the "Ag & Gag Café," was more than just a 24-hour dining spot. It was a hub of social activity, attracting a diverse clientele from bus riders to local students. The Argus Room, a section of the café, hosted numerous social gatherings and events, becoming a cherished venue for organizations and students from Kansas Wesleyan University and Brown Mackie College.
An advertisement in the Wesleyan Advance on May 7, 1941, captured the café’s lively atmosphere: "After the game, meet the crowd at the A & G Café. Salina’s pride, Open Day & Night."
Despite the challenges, including urban renewal issues and declining health, the Thodis family carried on the cafe’s legacy.
Gus and his wife, Demetra, rarely took time off, except to observe Greek Orthodox Easter, a testament to their dedication and pride in their Greek heritage. In 1963, the couple took a rare vacation to Greece, leaving Art to manage the café in their absence.
After 42 years of service, the A & G Café closed its doors in May 1973. The building was eventually purchased by the Urban Renewal department and subsequently razed, marking the end of an era. Yet, the legacy of the A & G Café lives on the countless customers who ended their evenings with coffee and eggs.
Reflecting on the café’s closure in the Salina Journal on May 10, 1979, the sentiment was clear: "A & G became a part of the Salina scene, and two generations of Salinans ended the evening out with coffee and eggs with Gus."