WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 8, 2021

CHEEVES BROTHERS: FROM GROCERIES TO CLOTHING TO STEAKS

A Temple landmark for 130 years

By DAVID STONE, Our Town Temple

Long before being associated with firecracker shrimp, porterhouse steaks and grape salad, Cheeves Brothers in downtown Temple was the place to buy bulk sugar and ostrich-plumed hats.

“Cheeves is the oldest store in Temple,” Mrs. Charles Cox Jr., daughter of the store’s founder, said in Backtracking 100 Years, a book published for Temple’s Centennial Celebration in 1981.

Although Cheeves is definitely a Temple landmark and tradition, the business actually started 36 miles to the east in Marlin. There were 10 Cheeves Brothers & Co. Dry Goods stores — also known as the Mississippi Store — throughout the state, including Central Texas locations in Marlin, Groesbeck and Mexia.

The Cheeves Brothers building was built in 1898 and was the longest running business in Temple. The Cheeves brothers actually opened their business in 1891, just 10 years after the city was founded. But a fire destroyed the first building in 1893 and killed Sam Cheeves. Pat Cheeves rebuilt the store and was joined by his brother-in-law, E.C. Johnson, in 1900.

“Father had groceries, furniture, clothing, dry goods and everything,” Mrs. Cox said. “There were barrels of pickles and herring, and flour and sugar often were sold by the barrel as well. Once, when father had a special price on a barrel of sugar, competing merchants told customers that Cheeve’s sugar had sand in it. People bought it anyway.”

The store often sold on credit to farmers who were waiting for crops to mature.

“They promised to pay when the crops were ready,” Mrs. Cox said, “But collections for groceries were slow. They had already been consumed and couldn’t be repossessed, so father sold his grocery business to Mr. Culpepper in 1910.”

After the business quit selling groceries, “Mississippi Store” was dropped from the name and the business just went by Cheeves Brothers & Co.

Cheeves was known throughout the state for its beautiful headwear that were made on-site.

“The milliners became skilled in trimming hats and covering shapes to match dresses and coats,” she said. “Ostrich plumes were curled with scissors, much the same way ribbon is curled. Father trained women for the hat department, often hiring young girls with good taste or artistic ability, and usually they stayed with the company for years.”

The Temple store closed in the 1990s, but it reopened as an upscale restaurant in 2002. On the second day of 2017, current owners Lauren and Joe Wilson purchased Cheeves as an intact restaurant.

“We had a meeting and signed the papers at 9:30 in the morning,” Lauren remembers. “Then we went to the restaurant and met with the staff. They had worked New Year’s Eve and probably thought they were going to a meeting to discuss plans for the new year. It was probably a bit of a shock to learn Cheeves had sold.”

After the meeting, the restaurant opened at 11 for lunch.

“We didn’t miss a beat,” Lauren said. “We bought it and went to work.”

Since becoming a restaurant in 2002 — Cheeves will soon celebrate its 20th year as a steakhouse — the company has had a reputation as a place for steaks. But, the steaks lacked consistency.

“Sometimes they had Prime beef, sometimes it was Choice,” Lauren said. “We didn’t want to upset the apple cart right away so we waited about eight months before introducing change.”

The first big change was to bring consistency to the Cheeves’ steak program.

“We now have all-Prime, single-sourced Black Angus beef, and it’s a top quality product,” she said. “It’s in the top 1 percent of beef in this country, and we really didn’t have to raise our steak prices to incorporate the change.”

Under the Wilson’s guidance, Cheeves also has developed a sophisticated fish and seafood program that includes Gulf shrimp and lobster tails from South Africa.

“Our seafood comes from all over the world every day,” she said. “It really is the freshest seafood available.”

When Cheeves became a restaurant back in 2002, a peculiar but immensely popular “salad” was added to the menu — grape salad.

“It’s really not a salad,” Lauren said. “It’s what I call a 1950s housewife salad, but people love it. We took it off the menu but that didn’t stop customers from ordering it, so we just keep making it. I guess you could say it’s on our secret menu.”

Like many businesses, Cheeves was shut down for several weeks during 2020 because of the pandemic.

“We tried to do some to-go orders and take-out, but as an upscale chophouse we really weren’t set up for that,” Lauren said. “We donated more than 3,000 meals to medical employees at Baylor Scott & White who were working long days, and we decided we should do some work inside the restaurant. So, we brought in our staff and gave them paintbrushes. It kept them employed and paid.”

Cheeves isn’t the Wilsons first foray into restaurants and the food industry. In 2014 the couple purchased Cathedral Oaks event venues in Belton and later added TCP Catering in Temple. They also own restaurants in other locations.

Lauren, who was born in Temple but raised down the highway in Marlin, said growing up her family was involved with a clothing business and a restaurant. One day, her parents asked what she intended to do with her life.

“I said I was going into both family businesses,” she said. “They just smiled, but I think it’s funny that we own a restaurant that used to be a clothing store.”

Despite growing up in Marlin, Temple remained familiar to Lauren.

“I remember as a kid going up and down I-35 with my parents,” she said. “We would go from Dallas to Austin and back, and those cities were booming. I always thought Temple was going to go haywire as well. Waco did, and now they have a bustling downtown. Now it’s Temple’s turn.”

“Downtown Temple is positioned to be right on track,” she said. “The city has great plans, and growth-minded people are getting involved downtown. The parking garages are something we are excited about along with the growing list of downtown dining and entertainment options.”

Lauren said last weekend’s First Friday event was the busiest night for Cheeves since Valentines.

“First Friday has really taken off,” she said. “A lot of thinkers, innovators and doers are getting behind downtown’s growth. It’s going to be tremendous.”

Cheeves Brothers Steakhouse in downtown Temple is known for its outstanding steaks, pork and seafood in an upscale atmosphere.

LINFIELD LINEBACKER REMAINS IN TEMPLE ICU

Linfield University’s Brock Klosterman, a senior linebacker, suffered damage to his heart and lungs during Saturday’s D-3 playoff game at Mary Hardin-Baylor. His father, Fritz Klosterman, told Our Town Temple this morning that his son remains in the Intensive Care Unit at Baylor Scott & White in Temple.

‘The kindness has been life altering’

By DAVID STONE, Our Town Temple

A Linfield University football player remains in Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Temple with injuries suffered during Saturday’s 49-24 loss to University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

Senior linebacker Brock Klosterman suffered what appeared to have been a concussion on a play late in the Division 3 playoff game. After the game, Brock’s parents — Fritz and Erin Klosterman — took the team doctor’s advice and drove him to Baylor Scott & White.

“Brock went down trying to tackle their running back, and another player fell on top of him,” Fritz said this morning. “When he got up, it looked like he had the wind knocked out of him and I’m sure he did. But then he started shaking and throwing up. They immediately took him to a training room and got an IV going in case he was dehydrated. His heart was running wild.”

Fritz said he was told by Baylor Scott & White doctors that Brock had suffered blunt-force trauma to the heart, lungs, kidneys and adrenal gland.

“The trauma to the adrenal gland caused a heart attack,” he said. “And his lungs started filling with fluid.

They intubated and sedated him Saturday night, and he is starting to recover. But doctors say he has damage to his upper heart. He is getting an MRI as we speak.”

Fritz said the family is blessed to have been so close to Baylor Scott & White.

“I dropped Brock and Erin off at the emergency room and went to park the car,” he said. “When I got inside, a nurse ran to me, asked me if I was Brock’s dad, then led me to a room. There were probably 25 cardiac specialists inside. Brock had an uncontrollable heart beat, and he was coughing — trying to vomit.”

“There also was a chaplain in the room,” Fritz said. “It was super scary and we started crying, but the doctors were able to get him calmed down so they could start testing. I think we are all cried out.”

The Klostermans said they have been deeply touched by the generous support from both Linfield University in Oregon and UMHB.

“Mary Hardin-Baylor is a class act,” he said. “They have shown us so much love by bringing us meals and coffee, and making a difficult situation as comfortable as possible. Randy (O’Rear), the UMHB president, came and prayed with us and brought sandwiches from Chick-Fil-A. That was an amazing act of love.”

Sarah Harborth, UMHB’s sports information director, said the Crusader athletic department has been providing meals to the Klosterman family during their extended stay in Central Texas.

“I just dropped off some coffee, and we have provided several meals,” she said. “This is a tough time for their family, and we are glad to help out any way we can. I’m sure their expenses are piling up.”

Fritz said his son is a fighter, and cardio doctors seem pleased with the improvements.

“Hopefully they will move him out of ICU to a regular bed in the next day or so,” he said. “Maybe we can take him back to Oregon soon. We have two younger kids — 6 and 8. We flew my mother from Ohio to Oregon to take care of our babies.”

Mindi Person, mother of Linfield wide receiver Payton Person, has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to help Brock’s family with medical and recovery costs.

Person said the injury has been stressful for his family and they have incurred so many extra costs in a hotel room, rental car and having to rebook flights home when Brock is ready to travel.

“It is unknown how expensive medical bills will be, and while he does have insurance, we all know how much the things insurance doesn't cover can add up, especially after days in the ICU,” she said. “He will need some therapy when he returns home as well.”

“I understand this time of the year is often hard on household budgets,” Persons said. “If you can’t donate, please send prayers and positive thoughts.”

Fritz described the past few days as “a nightmare.”

“But, you know what? It also shows that there are incredible people in this world — at this hospital, in Temple and at UMHB. This is an amazing place. The kindness has been life altering.”
To donate, visit https://gofund.me/43543c72.

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THE LARGEST, MOST COMPREHENSIVE EVENTS CALENDAR IN CENTRAL TEXAS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS & ALL THAT JAZZ: Temple ISD jazz bands, including The Highlighters, will be performing at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Meridith-Dunbar Early Childhood Academy Auditorium.

TEXAS NUTCRACKER BALLET: The Classical Ballet Conservatory at Lisa’s Dance Connection will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Cultural Activities Center.

WINTER BAND CONCERT: Temple High School bands perform at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, in the THS Auditorium.

LAST OF THE RED-HOT LOVERS: The Temple Civic Theater will hold auditions at 7 p.m. on Dec. 12 and 13. Complete a theater form at https://www.theaterforms.com/TempleCivicTheatre/Lovers/auditionform/. Be prepared to give a short monologue. If call backs are necessary, there will be side reads. The rehearsal schedule has not been determined because of the upcoming holidays. The show will run Feb. 4-13 at TCT.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT: The Temple High School Orchestra will perform at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13 in the THS Auditorium.

THE GIFT: Temple High School choir performs at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, at the THS Auditorium.

DEAN’S SERIES: KATHRYN FOUSE: Let the Games Begin with Kathryn Fouse, piano. Join us for an entertaining evening of music from popular video games. 7:30 p.m., Jan. 18 at Sue & Frank Mayborn Performing Arts Center at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

SHINY RIBS: Shiny Ribs will perform at the Cultural Activities Center in Temple at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 18.

THE QUEEN’S CARTOONISTS: The College of Visual & Performing Arts at UMHB features a band that plays music from classic cartoons and contemporary animation while synchronizing the music to video projections of the original film. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21, at the Sue & Frank Mayborn Performing Arts Center.

POPS CONCERT: The Temple Symphony Orchestra will feature trumpeter Allen Vizzutti in a January 29 Pops Concert at the Mary Alice Marshall Performing Arts Center at Temple College. Concert begins at 7:30 p.m.

DEAN’S SERIES: EMILY & JONATHAN GRAY: College of Visual & Performing Arts at UMHB presents Emily & Jonathan Gary in concert at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 4 inside the Sue & Frank Mayborn Performing Arts Center.

INHERIT THE WIND: The Temple Civic Theater will hold auditions on Feb. 2- and 21, and the show will be presented April 1-10.

VISITING ARTIST JEFFERY CARL: Join us to hear Jeffery Carl, an artist based outside Chicago, whose work explores how our relationship to geography informs our self-understanding, the development of communities, and the ways in which we shape our environment. 4 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Sue & Frank Mayborn Performing Arts Center at UMHB.

WIND/JAZZ ENSEMBLES: An evening of musical entertainment from the UMHB wind ensemble and jazz ensemble at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Sue & Frank Mayborn Performing Arts Center.

STEEL MAGNOLIAS: The Temple Civic Theater will hold auditions on March 27-28 and the show runs May 6-15.

SEASON FINALE: The Temple Symphony Orchestra’s season finale will be at 3 p.m. May 8 at Temple College and will feature pianists Frances Renzi and Anthony Pattin.

O’Briens Irish Pub with the Jason Custer Band. 10 p.m.

Bo’s Barn Dancehall Craig Howell & Somewhere in Texas will hit the stage at 9 p.m. $25 per person to include Cover, Party Favors, Champagne, Breakfast and Black Eyed Peas!!! 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Corky’s Wine Bar. Located at 13 S. Second Street, Corkys Wine and Beer hopes to have the most happening New Years Eve party in Central Texas! Tickets are only $35! Included in the price you get a midnight champagne toast, party favors, a souvenir glass, breakfast food after the ball drops and your live music and dancing for the evening! Attire is semi-formal.

ATTENTION BAR AND RESTAURANT OWNERS: Our Town Temple has started a separate category for New Year’s Eve parties, dances, concerts. Please send your event via email to OurTownTemple@gmail.com. Please include prices and everything that’s covered.

TEEN CRAFT CORNER: Every 4th Monday at 5 p.m. Join us for Teen Craft Corner! Take a break from the stresses of school and life, and create something fun during our monthly craft program! Our crafts will include projects such as string art, painting, learning about artists and their techniques, mixed media, and so much more! All supplies provided. (254) 298-5557

GREAT BOOKS ADULT BOOK CLUB: 2nd and 4th Mondays at 6 p.m. Seminal texts of Western civilization, pre-20th century philosophers, scientists and novelists. Readings span from Homer and Plato to Nietzsche and Freud. (254) 298-5557

BABY BOOKWORMS (Ages 0-12 months: Every Tuesday at 11 a.m. A half-hour of book sharing, rhymes, songs, exercises and parachute play. (254) 298-5557

SCHOOL-AGE STORY TIME (K-3rd Grade): Every Wednesday at 4:15 p.m. A half-hour of short films, stories and constructive play. (254) 298-5557

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME (Ages 3-5): Songs, stories, and a variety of literacy activities. (254) 298-5557

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS (Ages 12-18): First Thursday of the month at 5 p.m. Looking to explore the world of D&D but not sure where to start? Join us at the Library for our Beginners Dungeons & Dragons Program!

FACING THE INFERNO: THE WILDFIRE PHOTOGRAPHY OF KARI GREER: Colorful, intimate, and intensely dramatic images that capture the work of wildland firefighters in this new exhibit that runs through Jan. 15. Amazing photography.

COMING NEXT MONTH! ALIENTO a TEQUILA: This exhibit explores and celebrates the landscape, culture, and traditions that gave birth to tequila. A series of photographs by Joel Salcido include the original distilleries that founded the industry, as well as several artisanal tequilerías committed to the ancestral ways of tequila-making, from harvest to bottle. Jan. 28-March 16.

December

December 9, Thursday - Taproom Trivia at Fire Base Brewing Co. 7 p.m.

December 10, Friday — Vista’s Jingle Jam 2021 at Vista Community Church. Join us for the most fun, biggest, Christmas party of the year for your whole family. We'll play games, sing Christmas songs, have Christmas cookies and cocoa, and hear the Christmas story in a way kids can understand. And it is totally FREE! We’ll have a Jingle Jam session at 5:30pm and 7pm.

December 10, Friday - Nick Sterling & The Nomads, plus Ethan Smith at O’Brien’s Irish Pub.

December 10, Friday —Branded Heart at Bo’s Barn. 8 p.m.

December 10-12 — Disney’s Aladdin Jr. at Temple Civic Theatre.

December 10-12, The Texas Nutcracker, performed by Classical Ballet Conservatory of Lisa's Dance Connection, performance at the Cultural Activities Center.

December 10, Friday - Dinosaurs in December at Gober Party House. Children will enjoy learning exciting new things about dinosaurs and science. Make dino-mite crafts, foils and play some fun dinosaur games. The cost is $7 per person and you must preregister at https://bit.ly/3D6q2J9

December 11, Saturday - Holiday Bazaar at Holy Trinity Catholic High School, 6608 W. Adams Ave. in Temple. Photos with Santa, Santa’s Workshop, food, perfect last-minute gifts. Vendor spots still available. www.holytrinity.com. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

December 11, Saturday - Photos with Santa at Horny Toad Harley-Davidson. Bring your own camera or smartphone and get Free photos with Santa! Limited 3-photos per group.11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

December 11, Saturday - Proctor Victory Garden's Mobile Mercantile full of artisanal pickles & pepper jellies will be at Barrow Brewing Company’s Christmas Market during The Salado Stroll. Drop by 108 Royal Street in Salado to sample our briney faire! Noon to 7 p.m.

December 11, Saturday — Winter Wonderland at Wilson Park Recreation Center. Santa’s coming to visit all the good little boys and girls at the Wilson Park Recreation Center. 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Join us for cookies, hot cocoa, gifts, and pictures during this special family event.The event is FREE; however, registration is required. Register today here: https://bit.ly/3CZEKBV.

December 11, Saturday — Downtown Temple Holiday Market & Food Truck Frenzy. Its Holiday Season! We are excited to partner our market series with another Food Truck Event! Come join us in Downtown Temple and spread some holiday joy by supporting local businesses in our area!We will have plenty of vendors, food trucks to satisfy anyone's cravings, live music and activities for kids! Come find that perfect gift for your loved ones - whether it be a new piece of jewelry, some unique bath products, or a fun knickknack. 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

December 11, Saturday - 5th annual Holiday Extravaganza at the Troy Community Center. Shop with local small businesses. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

December 11, Saturday - Tucka Texas Takeover with LJ Echols, Fat Daddy and Mr. Smoke. VFW Post 1820, Temple. 7 p.m.

December 11, Saturday — 35 South at Bo’s Barn. 9 p.m.

December 11, Saturday - Holiday Laser Light Show at Barrow Brewing Co. in Salado. Part of the 61st annual Salado Christmas Stroll. 7 p.m.

December 11, Saturday - Name That Tune Bingo Retro Party at Fire Base Brewing Co., 7:30 p.m.

December 11, Saturday - 4 Band Show at O’Briens Irish Pub, including Stillhouse Howlers, Fvrorem, Burn Ban and SHFUX. 9 p.m. to midnight. Old-time tunes and punk rock.

December 14, Thursday - Czech Film Night at The Beltonian. With Czech beer and great food. The beer is imported from Ceske Budejovice in the Czech Republic and it is a medieval brewery dating back to 1265.

December 16, Thursday - Taproom Trivia at Fire Base Brewing Co., 7-9 p.m.

December 17, Friday - Matt Cearley & The Rowdy Few, O’Briens. 9 p.m.

December 17, Friday — Hyway Traveler at Bo’s Barn. 8 p.m.

December 17, Friday — “It’s a Wonderful Life” at The Beltonian Theatre. 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

December 18, Saturday — “It’s a Wonderful Life” at The Beltonian Theatre. 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

December 18, Saturday — The Real Gun Show at Bell County Expo Assembly Hall. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

December 18, Saturday - Game Show Night by Texas Red at Fire Base Brewing Co., 7-9 p.m.

December 18, Saturday — Lilly & The Implements at O’Briens Irish Pub…GREAT BAND ALERT! 9 p.m.

December 19, Sunday — The Real Gun Show at Bell County Expo Assembly Hall, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

December 19, Sunday – When Harry Met Sally… (1989), free movie at Cultural Activities Center. Boy meets girl, boy sees other girls, and girl sees other boys. Maybe boy and girl should have seen each other. “I’ll have what she’s having.” The event will include a pre and post-movie discussion with Dr. Joseph Taberlet. 2 p.m.

December 18, Saturday - Shinyribs, Cultural Activities Center, 7:30 p.m.

December 18, Saturday — People’s Choice at Bo’s Barn. 9 p.m.

December 23, Thursday - Santa & Elvis at Fire Street Pizza. 6-9 p.m.

December 25, Saturday — Christmas Dance at Bo’s Barn featuring Secondhand Rose, 8 p.m.

December 20-25: “The Polar Express” at The Beltonian Theatre. Visit https://TheBeltonianTheatre.com/Movies for show times.

December 31 - January 1 - Texas Elite Pole Vaulting. The Expo Explosion, the second largest indoor pole vaulting event in the country. Bell County Expo Center’s Garth Arena.

Our Town Temple

Cheeves' evolution