The walls are filled with signs, antiques and stories. Music can be heard throughout the restaurant, and the smell of fresh food fills the space. Customers sit in the dining room as the staff calls out their orders.
Located in the heart of Cammack, Indiana, historic Cammack Station serves ice cream, burgers, sandwiches, salads and is a historic landmark for the town.
Owner of Cammack, Dick Howe, bought the space in 2007 and converted it into the Cammack Station that patrons know today. Dick originally transformed the space into a small ice cream shop, with a collection of homemade ice cream made in the store.
Shane Shafer, current general manager of Cammack, joined Dick and expanded the business from there.
In 1930, the building began as Pete’s Grocery and gas station. People would be able to come through and purchase made-to-order sandwiches out of the shop. When Howe bought and renovated the building, Cammack started with only serving ice cream and with 12 seats in the building.
After Shane joined the business, they began renovating to build onto the restaurant. Today, there are 270 seats in the restaurant, a menu with a variety of food options, and more plans to expand in the coming years.
Shane discussed plans to expand the restaurant further, including more seating, as well as opening a new addition behind the restaurant.
“The building in the back is either going to be a museum or it’s going to house a private collection of Mr. Howe’s items,” Shane said. “We haven’t decided yet, but they’re starting to decorate it. It’s pretty amazing if you look through the windows right now.”
Shane also says that they plan on doubling the kitchen as well as adding another 150 seats to the dining room.
The building’s history can be seen throughout various pictures on the walls. Memorabilia spanning from the ‘40s to the ‘70s can be found around the dining room.
All of the gas pumps found inside used to be fully functional, and the jukebox located in the front of the dining room can still be used to play music over the speakers.
That jukebox once belonged to Jim Davis, creator of Garfield, Shane said. Dick and Jim knew each other, and the jukebox was donated once Dick took over the space. Both Jim and Dick grew up in the Muncie area and have strong ties to the community. Jim graduated from Ball State University in 1967.
Hannah Santino, front of house manager, has been working for Cammack for four years now. She would visit the restaurant as a child, and started working after her friend had also gotten a job.
“It’s just a good, small-town business,” Hannah said. “There’s nothing like it around, or as kind or welcoming. We love to have people.”
Shawn Harden, a community member of the City of Muncie, has visited the restaurant a handful of times and plans on coming back.
“This is truly a must-see destination,” Shawn said. “The atmosphere is unlike any place I have been to. The nostalgic feel of days gone by is a pleasure to experience.”
Another customer, Jonas Ansley, enjoyed the way the restaurant made it possible for them to relax with their family in the space and enjoy the food.
“Stepping through the doors, it feels like you’ve entered a time travel machine and stepped out of a time where things were a lot simpler,” Jonas said. “The staff, decor, and music are all phenomenal.”
Whether customers choose to sit outside or inside, the historic atmosphere is all around.
Cammack Station also hosts car shows for the community on the third Sunday of every month. Hannah says that they are very popular with the community.
“The one coming up next is the trunk or treat event,” Hannah said. “It’ll be on Halloween this year. It’ll be a good turnout and they’re already ordering the candy for it. It’s going to be a full event and the kids always love it.”
Through captured memories on the walls, homemade food and providing a place for the community to revisit and step back into its history, Cammack Station Restaurant is a time capsule of its beginning.
“We are just providing people with fresh food,” Shane said. “A clean restaurant, in a friendly environment, and they will come back time and time again.”
Cammack Station is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is located at 9200 W Jackson St. To view the menu, see the gift shop or learn more about the restaurant, you can visit their website at cammackstation.com.
Contact Kylee White via email at kylee.white@bsu.edu.
