Petrolia Heritage reader looking for help from you.

Unfortunately, I know very little other than my grandfather moved his restaurant from the Cleveland area to Stag Island during prohibition, and my Dad (Roman Gruber) spent the summers there, during that period, delivering ice.

My brother and I would love to take a trip to Stag Island sometime to see if there any remnants of the restaurant. 

Here is a small article about it:

GRUBER'S RESTAURANT - The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History

GRUBER'S RESTAURANT was a popular fixture in Greater Cleveland for almost 60 years. It was founded in 1907 by Max Gruber, Sr. During its first years, the restaurant moved frequently. It was originally located at Columbus Rd. and Willey Ave. in the FLATS, next at West 25th St. and Clark Ave., and then to a neighboring building which also housed the Democrats' Sycamore. It was at this site that Gruber's developed its loyal following.

In 1912 Gruber moved downtown to the Columbia Building at 102 Prospect Ave. (now the home of DYKE COLLEGE). When Prohibition went into effect in 1920, Gruber closed his Cleveland operation, feeling that dining without drinks was not a tenable position. He then opened restaurants in Geneva-on-the-Lake and later in Canada, on Stag Island, near Marysville, MI. In 1932 Gruber brought his business back to Cleveland, opening Max Gruber's Cafe in the Arcade. He continued operating there until 1947. Gruber's most successful era began 14 April 1947, when Gruber's sons, Max, Jr., and Roman, opened a dining room at Van Aken (then Moreland) Blvd. and Warrensville Center Rd. The new venue proved extraordinarily popular, becoming the setting for Cleveland's "jolly set," the city's version of cafe society. It was a favorite spot for columnists, athletes, and politicians. Sports leaders AL SUTPHIN† and Bill Veeck were frequently there.

In 1960 the Gruber brothers decided to retire, selling the restaurant and its name to the Fred Harvey chain. Harvey's operated the facility until 1964, when it was bought by Eddie and Bernard Goldfard and John Raleigh. By then, however, without the Grubers' imprint on its service, loyal customers had been lost and its overall popularity waned. Band music was introduced in 1965 to attract new customers, but business continued to dwindle. The restaurant closed in 1967.

James P. Gruber, Attorney At Law

Website: www.jpglawyer.com

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editor's collection	editor's collection This is (I assume) their home in Chicago.
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editor's collection I got an Email saying that the car is a 1912 Cadillac. The standard touring car for five passengers; it cost $1975 and  included some standard equipment	editor's collection
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editor's collection A group of swimmers that obviously haven't seen the movie Jaws yet.	editor's collection
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editor's collection These last 2 pics are from a book or a newspaper or maybe even a Stag Island brochure. Adella included them.	editor's collection Mighty St Clair River looking south ca.1910, just off the coast of Corunna Ontario.
Very interesting Stag Island letter head. Much detail and note the very detailed view from Corunna. ca.1904.	editor's collection Caption on back states 'Chefs & Manager Stag Island Hotel 1908'. The chef is holding the menu and one can almost read it. Please send me the names if you have them.
editor's collection On the boardwalk at Stag Island ca.1910s	Stag Island ball team. ca.1910s or 20s
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editor's collection This is a ca1918 pic of Paget st. The big yellow brick house is Mrs McIntyre's house ( a fabulous lady that always had cookies and lemonade and always talked to my sister and I ) at the end of the Paget and the little yellow house to the right was Mr & Mrs Rose's house in the ca.1950s. We rented the front half from them until ca.1959 when it was ripped  down to make way for the Corunna water outfalls.I was just a little gapher when we lived there but I remember it well. The Plasics lived in a house to our East that is not in the picture yet and McMasters lived down the street too. Also Al & Dot Brookes lived there as well as Griffiths. Herman Devos lived around the corner too.Later a garage went in to the East of Roses with a plank floor. We took the Ferry over to Stag Island often and had picnics at the North end beach. I was really glad to get this postcard.	editor's collection Here is the Courtright Hotel in Courtright Ontario ca.1908. This small village is a few miles down river from Stag Island and Corunna. There are great stories of Al Capone staying here and tunnels under the mighty St.Clair River for running Gin over to the USA during prohibition. I will try to gather some of these stories for this spot.
	These are 2 postcards of Stag Island that show cruise ships coming right in close the island.I just purchased them and here they are for your enjoyment.
ca.1915 Ford Picnic at Stag Island. Look close.