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Atwater's reopens with fresh vigor, determination

Mike Atwater will try to "win back this community" one savory plate at a time.

By JON WILSON
Published December 14, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - Atwater's Cafeteria, a landmark Midtown business, reopened Thursday after closing for several weeks to remodel and to determine the restaurant's direction.

Mike Atwater said the cafeteria is offering its traditional family fare from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day, including weekends.

Turkey legs, collards, fried chicken, corn bread and the trademark freshly squeezed lemonade were among items on the food line Monday.

Atwater is running the operation and doing the cooking. He said he has hired three new employees. The floors are shiny and new table cloths brighten the interior. A table displayed plaques and various awards the restaurant has won since it opened at 895 22nd Ave. S in 1977.

"The family has put the football in my hands, and I'm going to see if I can be the comeback kid," said Atwater, a restaurant and food service veteran.

He said he wants the word out that he is "trying to win back this community."

Through the years, the cafeteria had won a reputation for its cross-cultural appeal, drawing both black and white customers. It also has been a spot where politicians liked to be seen during campaigns.

But since the deaths of family matriarch Mattie Atwater in 2003 and her husband in 1997, the business has been adjusting, Atwater said.

Among the options considered was selling the property, he said. But community interest and "leaning on the Lord" persuaded the family to keep the restaurant, he said.

"We own this property. We have stakes in this community," Atwater said. He said he also will continue to operate Uncle Mike's Southern Barbecue. A brother, Elzo Atwater Jr., runs American Sunday Plate at Tropicana Field.

Mike Atwater noted that the cafeteria missed doing its annual Thanksgiving giveaway for needy families but will reinstitute the tradition for Christmas.

"The budget is not as strong as it once was, but we're going to build on it," he said.

The business was started by the senior Atwaters in 1965 when they bought the old Harlem Restaurant on 22nd Street S.

[Last modified December 14, 2005, 00:14:15]