Browse the Collection
View a database that includes artifacts, photographs, and documents in the History San José collection which relate to Lou’s Village Restaurant in San José, California.
Share Your Memories
“I miss Lou’s Village very much. We have attended weddings, New Year’s Eve parties, Mother’s Day Bruncheon, birthday parties, anniversary parties, organization meetings and just out to lunch or dinner since 1946 when they opened their restaurant.”
-Edith Lewis Walter
Banquets
After Lou’s Village was remodeled and expanded in 1950, it began to offer catering through the adjacent delicatessen “The Village Pantry”. Lou’s Village was the first restaurant in San José that could cater groups of over 500 people offsite. In August 1956, Lou’s was awarded the contract to operate the cafeteria at the Santa Clara Count Fairgrounds. The income from the catering helped offset the cost of hiring well-known entertainers to perform at Lou’s Village. In 1961, a fire at Lou’s Village destroyed the kitchen and part of the dining room, which led to a redesign of the restaurant. The stage and dance floor were removed and a new layout included better accommodations for diners and a separate space for banquet customers.
Many families celebrated weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and retirement parties at Lou’s Village. For large celebrations Lou’s offered several services including: a dance floor, stage, bar, flowers, music and acres of free parking. Long time customers Mr. and Mrs. Bolds celebrated their wedding anniversary with their ten children at Lou’s Village.
Through Frank Muller’s community activities many businesses and organizations held their meetings and celebrations at Lou’s Village. Active community member Edith Lewis Walter remembers attending meetings for many organizations and businesses including the Rotary Club of San Jose, California Pioneers of Santa Clara County, Sons of Retirement, Soroptimists and State Farm Insurance.