Aunt Martha’s closes after 55 years

Aunt Martha’s Pancake House closed its doors this week after over 55 years in business.

The restaurant, located at 1700 E. Cherokee St. along South Glenstone Avenue, did not open for business Oct. 21, owner Brenda Freeman confirmed with Springfield Business Journal.

“We are now permanently closed,” she said.

Freeman could not be reached for further comment this morning.

Martha Haworth launched the diner in 1959 and sold it in 1964 to Ruth Freeman, Brenda’s mother.

In its early days, the restaurant was known for spotting celebrities. Red Foley, Chet Atkins, Slim Wilson and other entertainers who appeared in the Ozark Jubilee, a popular television show that aired in the 1950s and ‘60s, were known to visit the spot, according to SBJ archives.

Country music singer Willie Nelson also is said to have stopped by in September 2003, according to AuntMarthasPancake.com.

The East Cherokee property is owned by the Brenda Freeman Trust, according to Greene County assessor records. The 0.6-acre site has a 2015 appraised value of $218,200.