Talk of the TownRESTAURANT · CARLISLE, KY

Helen and Teddy Shaw’s restaurant in Carlisle, Kentucky, open from the late 1970s to the late 1990s. Their grandson put in his hours here from early childhood until he was about 18. Here’s his ticket.

Date’70s – ’90s
Tablethe counter
Guestsall of Carlisle
ServerShaggy
821127

The Proprietors

Granny and Grandpa, the folks who ran the place. Family snapshots, tap one to see it bigger.

Snapshot of Granny, gray-haired, in round glasses and a red sweater, sitting on a floral sofa (open larger)
Granny, proprietor One of the folks who ran the place.
Snapshot of Grandpa in a houndstooth hat with a dark band, a brown jacket and a white shirt (open larger)
Grandpa, proprietor The other half of the folks who ran the place.
  1. Helen & Teddy Shaw, props.Talk of the Town Restaurant, Carlisle, KY · late 1970s to late 1990s
  2. 1SOUP/SALmade the saladsfrom the time he could reach the counter✓
  3. 1BEVwashed the dishesstacks of them✓
  4. 1APPTwaited tablesorder pad in hand, like this one✓
  5. 1DESSERTbussed tablescleared the plates, wiped the tops✓
  6. 1ENTREEcooked when the chef didn’t showand the grill still had to get going✓!
  7. shift: early childhood → about 18
  1. Tax
  2. Total
Thank You - Please Come Again

Clipped to the check

From the Carlisle Mercury, 1982–83, plus one family Polaroid. Tap any piece to read it bigger.

Polaroid of the Talk of the Town Restaurant storefront during remodeling, with a Dr Pepper sign, a pickup truck and two men out front; handwritten on the border: Remodeling of Rest. Nov. 1982 (open larger)
Nov. 1982 · the remodel The family Polaroid, labeled in pen “Remodeling of Rest. Nov. 1982.”
Newspaper ad: Talk of The Town Restaurant will be closed Nov. 24, 25 and 26 for Thanksgiving. We will open on Saturday, Nov. 27 at 11 o’clock. (open larger)
Nov. 18, 1982 · closed for Thanksgiving Carlisle Mercury, p. 8. Closed Nov. 24–26; back open Saturday, Nov. 27 at 11 o’clock. Same month as the remodel Polaroid.
Christmas newspaper ad with a snowy village street scene: Merry Christmas, warmest of wishes to our customers and friends this joyous season. Talk of the Town, The Shaws: Helen, Teddy, Judy, one name marker-redacted, and Employees. (open larger)
Dec. 23, 1982 · “The Shaws” Carlisle Mercury, p. 8. A Christmas ad the family placed, signed “The Shaws,” with Helen, Teddy, Judy, his dad and the employees.
New Year newspaper ad with a cartoon horn-blowing reveler: 1983 is going to be a blast! Talk of the Town, The Shaws: Helen, Teddy, Judy, one name marker-redacted, and Employees. (open larger)
Dec. 30, 1982 · “a blast!” Carlisle Mercury, p. 7. “1983 is going to be a blast!” Signed by the Shaws again.
Newspaper sponsor list for a Bluejacket basketball page, with Talk of the Town among Carlisle businesses. (open larger)
Nov. 25, 1982 · Bluejacket sponsors Carlisle Mercury, p. 4. Talk of the Town is on the list of businesses sponsoring the Bluejacket basketball page.
Chamber of Commerce Christmas gift drive ad listing drop-off points, including Talk of the Town Rest. (open larger)
Dec. 16, 1982 · gift drop-off Carlisle Mercury, p. 11. The Chamber of Commerce Christmas gift drive listed “Talk of the Town Rest.” as a drop-off spot.
Carlisle-Nicholas County Chamber of Commerce member thank-you ad listing local businesses; the interim board line for Talk of the Town has a first name marker-redacted. (open larger)
Mar. 10, 1983 · Chamber member Carlisle Mercury. Talk of the Town on the Chamber of Commerce member list, with Jim Shaw listed for the restaurant on the interim board.

Right next door, Jim and Judy Shaw ran J&J Liquors. So a kid with a dish rag in one building had a walk-in cooler in the other.

Manor lore · unverifiedThe Manor’s ghosts say that on slow nights you can still hear a dish machine running somewhere in Carlisle and a kid hollering “order up!”

Photo postcard of three elderly women in white bonnets gossiping over tea, titled The Talk of the Town (open larger)
On the Postcard RackSame name, different crowd: three ladies in bonnets on a postcard titled “The Talk of the Town.” From the Postcard Rack →
see also the diner station in the Kitchen →
Next Door Talk of the Town ⟷ J&J Liquors step next door →

Also next door: The Locker Room →